Wizards forward Rui Hachimura has looked better than ever since returning from a month-long absence caused by a bone bruise in his right ankle, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Hachimura is averaging 21.4 PPG and shooting 60% from the floor over his past five games. He led all scorers with 26 points in Sunday’s win at Milwaukee and has become an integral part of Washington’s offense.
Hachimura is taking advantage of all his offensive talents, Hughes adds. He has long been effective in attacking the basket, and his development as a ball-handler has improved that aspect of his game. He also has upgraded his jumper and is connecting at a career-best 52.2% from the field.
“I always thought he was a one-dribble pull-up guy,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “Now he can put it down for more than one dribble. He’s a big, strong kid. If you don’t have a sizable guy to guard him, he can bury you. So, I think he’s going to be a guy that can draw double teams against smaller guys. That’s always an advantage for a team.”
There’s more on the Wizards:
- Washington has taken advantage of some short-handed teams during its five-game winning streak, observes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The Bucks were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday in Sunday’s loss, and Robbins details a few other wins over teams without their full complement of players. He also points out that the Wizards’ 10-game losing streak earlier this season came amid a slew of injuries, and they understand that it’s part of life in the NBA. “Obviously, we’ve caught some teams that have been banged up, but we’ve been on the other side of that,” coach Wes Unseld Jr. said. “We can’t determine who’s available, who’s playing — it’s just more about us. Can we take care of our business? And for the most part, we have.”
- Bradley Beal sat out his third straight game Sunday night with a sore left hamstring, but he could return for Tuesday’s rematch with the Bucks, Robbins adds.
- Kyle Kuzma, who has been the subject of trade speculation ahead of next month’s deadline, had one of his best games of the season Sunday, notes Ava Wallace of The Washington Post. Kuzma posted 10 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his second career triple-double, and he’s been one of the catalysts of the winning streak. “(Kuzma) has been a big-time play-maker for us,” Unseld said. “Facilitating in the open floor (and) playing out of the post. His pace up the floor has been really good for us, even after makes. So he’s doing a little bit of everything, and I think it’s important. Brad has been out; he and (Kristaps Porzingis) have to kind of shoulder the burden offensively. But the fact that we’re still trying to play through them and they are willing to share the ball I think speaks volumes.”
OMG wizards have both Kuzma and Hachimura off contract. Bet both guys can’t wait to get 20+ mil offers, stay in Washington, then regress back to their usual ways.
Washington is just becoming a money grab of a franchise. They have Bertans a insane contract after 1 good season. They gave Bradley Beal the biggest contract ever at the time and now it’s going to be Kuzma and Hachimuras time to pocket up and not deliver.
It’s really sad to see cause besides being a Sixers fan I used to really like the wizards back when they had Agent 0, then moved into the John Wall era and along came Bradley Beal and it was good. Ever since Walls injury the team has just completely lost any direction and ambition.
Like yeah the Kings suck but you can see they are atleast trying to be better with Fox and Sabonis and drafting Keegan Murray. Like maybe not perfect but there effort and direction. Washington just pays for numbers and is happy to suck