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Rui Hachimura leads the Lakers against the Jazz with a career-high 36 points.
Utah’s Salt Lake City On Wednesday, Rui Hachimura recorded a career-high 36 points, while Anthony Davis added 37 to help the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Utah Jazz 138-122.
Hachimura and Davis destroyed a tiny Utah frontline while superstar LeBron James rested an injured ankle, helping the Lakers go to 6-1 over their final seven games prior to the NBA All-Star break.
In addition to using his physical strength to get to the hoop whenever he pleased, Hachimura shot 13 of 19 from the field, including a career-high six three-pointers, carrying the kind of offensive load that is expected of him when he plays for the Japanese national team.
“It was just basic basketball,” the 26-year-old power forward told reporters when he announced that he will be playing.
In addition to becoming the first Lakers teammates to score 35 points or more in a single game since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 2003, Davis dominated the glass, grabbing 15 rebounds.
D’Angelo Russell, the point guard for the Lakers, also recorded a career-high 17 assists.
Hachimura has started the previous six games for head coach Darvin Ham, and his return to the starting lineup coincides with the Lakers’ recent winning streak.
With “getting more touches,” the Akatsuki Japan star claimed to have improved his rhythm, and he and his teammates were reaping the benefits of the starting lineup’s stronger camaraderie.
“When I get into the game I want to impact the game, it’s always my goal,” Hachimura
