Lakers honor former forward with tribute video during return

Lakers Honor Former Forward With Tribute Video After Return to Franchise

Rui Hachimura returned to Crypto.com Arena on Friday night—but this time as an opponent.

Hachimura rejoined the Lakers’ roster after spending 3½ seasons with the franchise, appearing when the Lakers hosted the Clippers for the second game of the regular season.

Despite playing as an opponent, the Lakers ensured Hachimura felt appreciated by showing a custom tribute video during the first quarter of Friday’s game.

During the Clippers’ initial timeout, midway through the first period, the Lakers screened a nearly minute-length video that culminated in a highlight reel featuring the 6‑foot‑8 forward sinking a buzzer‑beating, game‑winning three‑pointer in the Lakers’ victory over the Raptors on December 4, 2025, in Toronto.

The No. 9 pick in the 2019 draft entered the scene smiling before Friday’s matchup, greeting his former teammates and coaches.

He playfully mimed heading toward the Lakers’ locker room before ultimately finding himself in the visitors’ locker room.

The Lakers added Hachimura to the roster from the Wizards in January 2023.

He quickly became a cornerstone of their campaign, leading them to the 2023 Western Conference Finals and serving as a consistent full‑time starter throughout playoff runs from 2024 through 2026.

Hachimura posted a strong statistical profile, averaging 12.3 points on 51.6 % shooting overall—including 41.5 % accuracy on three‑point attempts—and recorded 4.3 rebounds per game across 228 regular‑season contests with the Lakers.

His three‑point fire remains notable; he hit 50.7 % from beyond the arc in the 36 playoff games logged with the franchise.

In July, Hachimura secured a two‑year, $28 million contract with the Clippers in free agency.

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