Rui Hachimura’s journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics has come to an abrupt end as the Los Angeles Lakers star has departed from the Japan national team due to a left calf injury.
The Japanese squad has faced a significant setback with Hachimura’s exit, especially with a critical match against Brazil on the horizon. The Japan Basketball Federation reported that Hachimura experienced discomfort in his left calf following Japan’s game against France. Subsequent MRI scans revealed a calf injury affecting the gastrocnemius muscle.
In a heartfelt statement, Hachimura expressed his regret about leaving the team: “Due to the need for early treatment of my injury, I regret to inform you that I will no longer be able to accompany the team in accordance with NBA/FIBA rules. I want to sincerely thank the fans who supported us on site, basketball fans around the world, and fans in Japan.”
He continued, “Together with my teammates, I believe we played some very good games for Japanese basketball. I am proud to have played as a member of Japan. The Japan national team will continue to fight for victory in the match against Brazil, so please continue to support Japan.”
During his two appearances at the Paris Olympics, Hachimura delivered impressive performances, averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 17.0 EFF per game.