Forward Rui Hachimura sustained a calf injury in Japan's 94-90 overtime loss to France at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday night, July 30.
With the injury, Hachimura was ruled out of Japan's final Group B group phase match against Brazil on Friday, August 2. He has left the team to seek treatment for the injury, which was confirmed after an MRI.
Before the Japan-Brazil game, Hachimura issued a statement via the Japan Basketball Association.
"Unfortunately, I will not be able to join the team due to the need for early treatment of the injury," the Los Angeles Lakers player said in the statement.
He also said Akatsuki Japan should be proud of its effort on the basketball court during the Paris Olympics.
"Along with the other members, I believe we have played extremely good games for Japanese basketball," said Hachimura. "I am filled with pride to have been a part of it."
Hachimura, 26, was a first-round pick of the Washington Wizards in the 2019 NBA Draft. In the Paris Games, he scored 24 points on 10-for-16 points against France. He was ejected from the game against France after picking up his second unsportsmanlike foul in the fourth quarter.
In Japan's Olympic opener, Hachimura had a team-best 20 points on 4-for-19 shooting against reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup champion Germany on July 27 in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. Germany won 97-77.
Rui Hachimura Prioritizes Dealing with the Injury
With the NBA season set to start on October 22, Hachimura believes there's a pressing need to cope with the injury. Veteran players report to training camps in early October.
Former Japan national team association coach Tomoya Higashino, who oversees the JBA's technical committee, acknowledged that the team is taking a cautious approach with Hachimura.
Higashino described the injury as one involving "damage that would hinder his ability to play," Kyodo News reported.
Hachimura averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 68 games for the Lakers during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Japan Falls to 0-3 at Paris Olympics
In Friday's game, Brazil pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Japan 25-11 in the final 10 minutes. As a result, Japan lost 102-88.
Josh Hawkinson scored 26 points and Yuki Kawamura had 21 for winless Japan. Brazil's Bruno Cabolco led all scorers with 33 points.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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