The Washington Wizards are off to a great start this season with a 7-3 record. Fresh off their win Sunday over the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, the Wizards are slated to get a boost with a big return.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charnia, Rui Hachimura is expected to be a full participant with the Wizards in the next two weeks.
Wizards forward Rui Hachimura has resumed being around the team in recent days and is expected to be reintegrated fully in the next two weeks, sources said. Hachimura, who missed training camp and has yet to play this season due to personal reasons, will go through the proper ramp-up process before returning to the floor.
Hachimura has yet to play this season. The 23-year old missed training camp and the entire preseason for personal reasons.
He hadn’t been around his teammates during the majority of his absence. However, last week he interacted with Wizards players for the first time during a workout at the team’s facility. He is now on the path to returning to the court in a couple of weeks.
Last season he averaged 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 57 games. He was penciled in as the starting power forward heading into this season. However, his absence has opened the door for Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma was acquired by the Wizards in the Russell Westbrook trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kuzma is averaging 14.1 points and a team-high 9.5 rebounds in 10 starts this season. Kuzma has established himself as a reliable starter which could make it difficult for Hachimura to get back into the starting lineup.
For now the focus is easing Hachimura back into the swing of things. With the additions of Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Hachimura will be afforded the time to ease back into full form.
