Is Rui Hachimura playing tonight against Germany? Latest on LA Lakers forward's availability (July 19)

Rui Hachimura will play for Japan in its second-to-last exhibition game before the 2024 Olympics begins. The LA Lakers forward will lead the Akatsuki Five against Germany on Friday at Uber Arena in Berlin. With the tournament roughly a week away, Tom Hovasse is scrambling to get the NBA star some minutes with his teammates.

Hachimura wasn’t available in Japan’s first four exhibition games where it went 1-1-2. The team’s only win during that stretch was against South Korea 88-80 early this month. The NBA forward’s availability will be a big boost in their preparation for the competition in Paris.

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Japan will badly need Rui Hachimura

Japan is bracketed in Group B with Germany, France and Brazil. Hovasse will need Rui Hachimura to be at his best to compete against the heavyweights. Former Phoenix Suns forward Yuta Watanabe, who is dealing with a calf injury, might not get healthy in time for the Olympics. Hachimura’s load will be even bigger than usual if Watanabe is unavailable or limited.

The Germans ran rings around their Asian opponents the last time they met in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Watanabe played but Hachimura begged off to prepare for his stint with the LA Lakers. The Europeans took advantage of the forward’s absence by bullying Japan before coasting to an 81-63 victory.

Germany eventually won the tournament by beating the highly favored Serbians. They are back in the Olympics with largely the same roster that ruled the FIBA-sanctioned event last year. Rui Hachimura can’t do it all but will give his team a boost and try to pull off an upset.

France looms as an even more daunting foe than the Germans. The French, with Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama anchoring the roster, are looking to challenge for the gold. Even if Hachimura and Watanabe play, they aren’t likely to pull the rug from under the hosts.

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Japan could upset Brazil behind Rui Hachimura

Japan’s biggest chance of bagging an upset might be against Brazil. The South Americans were the only team that grabbed an Olympic spot without hosting a qualifying tournament. They went to Latvia to hold off the Philippines and the hosts to push their way into Group B of the said tournament.

The Brazilians, though, might not be fully healthy when the Olympics start in about a week. Yago Santos wasn’t 100% when he was in Latvia and left the final game with another injury. Raul Neto is also struggling to stay on the floor.

Rui Hachimura and Co. could pull off an upset against Brazil. To do that, their chemistry has to be excellent. Hachimura is in a race to develop rhythm with his teammates for the Olympics.