Rui Hachimura has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Lakers with a left quadriceps injury. The Clippers will be without a starting-caliber forward while they try to snap a two-game losing streak.
What happened
Rui Hachimura is listed as out on the injury report filed Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 4:02 p.m. ET. The injury is to his left quadriceps. He had no previous status on the report. The report's comment reads: "Hachimura (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Joey Linn of SI.com reports." The report gives Oct. 30 as his expected return date. How the injury happened has not been announced, and neither has a diagnosis beyond the quadriceps.
What it means for the Clippers
The Clippers host the Lakers on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 10:30 p.m. ET. They are 1-2, ninth in the West, and have lost two straight. Hachimura has played in all three games. He averages 10.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 31.2 minutes. The Clippers have not played without him yet. Derrick Jones Jr. (30.2 minutes, 11.7 points) and Kris Dunn (31.1 minutes, 9.7 points) already play heavy wing minutes. Darius Garland leads the team at 24.0 points. Brook Lopez (18.0 points) and Isaiah Jackson (9.7 points) work the frontcourt. Gradey Dick (16.0 minutes) and Kobe Sanders (19.3 minutes) are other options.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Oct. 30 still holds as Hachimura's expected return date. The Clippers' depth is already thin. Max Strus (right foot), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (right foot), Brandon Ingram (right Achilles), Bradley Beal (right knee) and Jordan Miller (left shoulder) are all listed as out. Wednesday's game against the Lakers is the next one on the schedule.
Is Rui Hachimura playing vs the Lakers on Wednesday, Oct. 28?
No. He has been ruled out with a left quadriceps injury, per the injury report.
When will Rui Hachimura be back?
The injury report lists Oct. 30 as his expected return date. A specific game for his return has not been announced.