Rui Hachimura is in playoff mode.
After sinking five 3s and scoring 29 points off the bench in the Lakers' Game 1 win over the Grizzlies, Hachimura opened up Game 2 by picking up right where he left off, hitting his first two jump shots of the night to score five quick points in the first quarter.
This is the tempo and the drives that the Lakers need in the half court. Reaves able to turn the corner and force help. Kick, extra pass and Rui keeps it going with a one dribble pullup. pic.twitter.com/m6a8BN7QBY
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) April 20, 2023
And while the Lakers suffered a 10-point loss in Game 2, Hachimura finished the game with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-4 shooting from 3-point range.
MORE: Desmond Bane issues challenge to Rui Hachimura after Game 1
Through two playoff games in 2023, Hachimura is averaging 24.5 points on 69.2 percent shooting from the field and 70.0 percent shooting from deep. As Impressive as his numbers are, the company that Hachimura joined with his Game 2 performance is even more impressive.
With his Game 2 performance, Hachimura became the first Lakers reserve to score 20 points in consecutive playoff games in 27 years. The last to do it? Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who, in 1996, opened a first-round series against the Rockets with games of 20 and 26 points.
Rui's the first Laker with back-to-back 20-point playoff games off the bench since Magic Johnson (1996). pic.twitter.com/VSkIWr5tlG
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 20, 2023
Hachimura is turning a corner for the Lakers. Entering the postseason, The Sporting News' Stephen Noh explored how the 25-year-old forward could be an X-factor for Los Angeles.
With his presence on offense and defense, he's been that and then some.
MORE: Rui Hachimura can be the Lakers' playoff X-factor on both ends of the floor
In addition to joining Johnson in LA's playoff record book, Game 2 marked the first time that Hachimura turned in consecutive 20-point performances in over a year. His last time scoring 20 or more points in back-to-back games came on April 8 and 10, 2022.
The Lakers squandered an opportunity to take a 2-0 series lead over the shorthanded Grizzlies in Game 2, but they have stolen home court as the series heads back to Los Angeles tied 1-1.
As the series continues, LA is going to continue to call on Hachimura to step up as he's done to start the series. The Lakers' chances to pull off an upset could very well depend on his play.
