Washington Wizards rookie forward Rui Hachimura will miss his fifth consecutive game Thursday night versus the Detroit Pistons, and per head coach Scott Brooks, it appears that Hachimura's absence could be even longer than expected.
When asked about the status of the big man, Brooks demurred that he had no update to share as it pertained to when Hachimura could return to action.
Tonight marks the fifth game Rui Hachimura will miss with a groin injury and Coach Scott Brooks said there is no update to share on his status.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 26, 2019
When Hachimura went down with a groin injury during the team's Dec. 16 game versus Detroit, he was pegged to miss the next five games. Barring some next-level healing, it appears Hachimura will miss Saturday's contest against the New York Knicks as well, extending his absence beyond where the team expected.
It comes at a particularly difficult time for the team as they battle injuries up and down their depth chart, keeping the team severely short-handed.
Prior to being sidelined, Hachimura had injected himself in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. Having started all 25 games that he has appeared in, the former Gonzaga standout has averaged 13.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest, seeing better than 29 minutes per night.
At just 21 years old, he has shot 48.2 percent from the floor and turned himself into the third-highest scorer on a rebuilding Wizards squad that nabbed him with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 Draft.
The team's first four options at the power forward spot are currently sidelined, leaving a collaboration of bodies to fill-in for the time being. Fellow rookie Admiral Schofield has entered the starting five in place of Hachimura, but has been unable to replicate his production in his limited time.
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