Rui Hachimura made a positive impact in the Los Angeles Lakers' bounce-back, 94-85 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first-round series in the NBA playoffs on Tuesday, April 22.
Hachimura finished with ordinary statistics (11 points, five rebounds, two steals, one block) in 34-plus minutes. But he displayed physical toughness and mental fortitude.
Award-winning columnist Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times captured the essence of the Lakers' performance in the hard-fought game at Crypto.com Arena.
"What a difference an elbow makes," Plaschke wrote, setting the overall theme of the Game 2 storyline and referring to an errant elbow that hit Hachimura in the face in the first quarter.
"One game after being wadded up and tossed aside like a hot dog wrapper by a Timberwolves team that was just hungrier, the Lakers pushed and shoved and fought their way into personifying a must win."
Rui Hachimura Makes a Difference
Minnesota steamrolled LA in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series, winning 117-95 on April 19.
Lakers head coach JJ Reddick issued a challenge to his players for Game 2, noting the physicality of playoff basketball. And the Lakers responded. (Exhibit A: The Lakers were whistled for 24 personal fouls; the T-Wolves had 22.)
How did Reddick characterize the Lakers' performance on Tuesday?
"We were physical," he said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "The playoffs require a different level."
Most notably, Hachimura embodied this level of physical play.
"It took them two games," wrote Plaschke, "but they've reached that level, as epitomized Tuesday by Rui Hachimura battling into a face injury that initially required a mask, until he threw the mask aside and kept fighting, no room for a must injury on this mustiest of nights.
"Hachimura only made four shots, but his 34 minutes set the tone for a game in which Luka Doncic's 31 points seemed like an afterthought."
After the game, Hachimura told reporters: "My injury is fine. I had to wear a mask, which made it a little difficult to see, but I was able to fight to the end."
"In the first game, we were only able to play physically in the first quarter," Hachimura said, according to NHK.
He added, "I talked with the coach and he told me that my physical play would give the team a boost, so I am glad I was able to do that this time."
After acquiring Slovenian superstar Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in early February, the Lakers' NBA title hopes skyrocketed.
The Lakers (50-32 in the regular season) earned the Western Conference's No 3 seed for the playoffs.
Track and Field
Steeplechaser Miura Signs Sponsorship Deal with Swiss Sportswear Brand On
Two-time Olympian Ryuji Miura has signed a sponsorship agreement with Swiss sportswear brand On, it was announced on Tuesday, April 22.
In his first appearance as an On athlete, Miura will compete at the Xiamen Diamond League meet in China on April 26.
"On is a brand full of momentum, and I have been greatly inspired by it," Miura said in a statement. "With this new contract, I renew my determination and aim to level up with On. My biggest goal this year is the World Athletics Championships (September 13-21) in Tokyo. On the global stage, I hope to achieve high places that I haven't yet reached — like winning a medal — together with On.
"A new chapter of challenges begins as I aim to level up. As an On athlete, I'm committed to showing everyone my best on the world stage."
As a 17-year-old, Miura broke the Japanese 3,000-meter steeplechase high school record, one that had stood for three decades.
An Established World-Class Athlete
Miura, 23, made his Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games and he finished seventh in the men's steeplechase. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he was eighth, clocking 8 minutes, 11.72 seconds.
In between his two Olympic appearances, the Shimane Prefecture native secured a sixth-place finish at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Miura has achieved the highest finishes for a Japanese steeplechaser at the Olympics and the World Athletics Championships. And he owns national records at various age groups in his specialized event.
"We are delighted to announce the addition of Ryuji Miura to the On Team," said Steve DeKoker, On's athlete manager, according to a news release. "His established talent on both national and international circuits speaks volumes. With the upcoming World Athletic Championships on home soil, this is a particularly exciting time for us to join forces with Ryuji, and we look forward to supporting him on this exciting journey."
The men's 3,000-meter steeplechase final is scheduled for September 15 at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Baseball
Reigning NPB Champion BayStars Drop 5th Straight
The Yokohama DeNA BayStars lost their fifth consecutive game on Thursday, April 24, dropping a 4-2 decision to the visiting Hanshin Tigers.
In the seventh inning, Tigers second baseman Takumu Nakano delivered a game-tying hit. Outfielder Shota Morishita then smacked a two-run home run, his second of the season, to left off BayStars reliever Kohei Morihara to account for the final score.
DeNA, winner of the 2024 Japan Series, slipped to 6-12-2. Manager Daisuke Miura's team entered the weekend of April 25-27 in last place in the Central League, 5½ games behind the first-place Hiroshima Carp.
The Orix Buffaloes (12-8-2) sit atop NPB's Pacific League standings.
Did You Know?
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato has returned to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to compete in the renowned race for the 16th time. It's a one-race contract.
The 48-year-old Tokyo native has been among the fastest drivers during practice sessions this week in Indianapolis.
On Thursday, April 24, he also suffered a setback. Sato's car crashed into a wall during practice while traveling at 233 mph (375 kph). The car sustained major damage during the crash before Turn 2. Sato lost control as the rear of the car spun sideways.
"The data recorded a 94G impact," Sato, 48, wrote on X. "Just minor bruises and I'm OK. Really grateful to my crew, sorry for the extra work. We'll come back stronger for the #Indy500."
If all goes according to plan, look for Sato's No 75 Honda in the May 26 spectacle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"We are excited to have Takuma part of our Indy 500 program again," Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan racing, said in a statement. "His experience, talent and bravado at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in particular, is evident by his two wins. The work ethic he brings, in addition to his attention to detail, adds immeasurable value to our program."
RELATED:
- Rui Hachimura and the Lakers Aiming to Regain Form
- Ryuji Miura Advances to Men's Steeplechase Final for the 2nd Straight Olympics
- SPORTS SHORTS | Akie Iwai Finishes 2nd at the LA Championship
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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