Lakers open up about former forward: ‘One of my favorite teammates’

It isn’t often that Lakers superstar Luka Doncic will joke around with an opponent – especially during a game. 

His recent verbal back and forth with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg throughout the Lakers’ season-opening win on Wednesday night showcased a glimpse of how competitive the Slovenian guard can get on the court. 

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But Doncic was especially exuberant during the Lakers’ win over the Clippers on Friday night because the game was also Rui Hachimura’s return to Crypto.com Arena after the Japanese forward spent 3 ½ seasons with the Lakers, which included 1 ½ as a teammate with Doncic.

Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura were Lakers teammates from 2023-26. NBAE via Getty Images

Luka Doncic was being jovial with Rui Hachimura throughout Friday. NBAE via Getty Images

Doncic ran onto the court and hugged Hachimura pregame before the Clippers forward could start his routine. 

And even when the 2019 first-round draft pick was going through his pregame process, there Doncic was, being jovial with his former teammate as Hachimura greeted his old Lakers coaches.

The playfulness from Doncic’s side continued during the game. 

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“I don’t like Rui…Nah, it was just great to see him,” Doncic said. “He’s my guy. We had a year and a half together, great friends, so it was really nice to see him.”

The playfulness turned into trash talk when the game started.

“He was just trying to talk trash or whatever,” Hachimura said. “But I don’t care about that stuff. I had a good time with him, two years with the Lakers. I’m happy to see him.”

It was clear Doncic wasn’t the only Laker who was happy to see Hachimura.

Hachimura and Lakers star guard Austin Reaves, who were teammates during the former Gonzaga forward’s entire tenure with the Lakers, also embraced on the court pregame and postgame on Friday.

Clippers forward Rui Hachimura was all smiles during his return to Crypto.com Arena. NBAE via Getty Images

“He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever had,” Reaves said. “I made a joke the other day that I didn’t know if he spoke English for the first two weeks. We sat by each other on the plane his first year and I…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lakers-open-former-forward-one-162248597.html

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Publish date : 2026-10-24 16:22:00

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