Hoops Habit
Fansided

Washington Wizards: 3 goals for the end of Rui Hachimura’s rookie year

By Collin Loring

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards reacts in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 12, 2020 in New York City.The Washington Wizards defeated the New York Knicks 114-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards reacts in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 12, 2020 in New York City.The Washington Wizards defeated the New York Knicks 114-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura has put on a strong first half to his inaugural NBA season. A look at three goals for his final stretch in 2019-2020.

Rui Hachimura is the first Washington Wizards’ rookie since Juwan Howard (1994-1995) to post averages of 13 or more points and 6.0 or more rebounds, per Basketball Reference. So yeah, you could say he’s having a pretty stellar rookie season, injury aside.

More from Hoops Habit

And injury he’s seen. Hachimura missed 23 games this season with a groin injury, albeit all consecutive. Whether that was a padded return via the front office’s caution with their lottery pick or not, that’s a good chunk of the season to spend watching from the bench.

Still, he’s gone up against some of the best, and earned the respect from some of the league’s best, including LeBron James. He’s seen (almost) as much winning as he has losing. Hachimura got to make an appearance in the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend and he’s spent this season playing next to a top-15 player in the NBA. Not too shabby.

Fortunately for Hachimura, the ride doesn’t stop here. He’s no doubt enjoyed his near-week off from the NBA’s workweek, but the All-Star break is over now. And the focus for Washington ahead of their first game back on Friday remains the same as before the break: playoffs.

The Wizards are 5-5 in their last 10 games, just a head above water in terms of their eligibility for the playoffs. But four of their next seven games will be against below .500 teams, and the bottom of the East is in a tailspin.

For Hachimura, playoffs aren’t make or break, but there are some goals he can set as he embarks on the second half of an already-memorable rookie season. A look at three.

Home/Washington Wizards