The Washington Wizards announced Tuesday that their Japanese rookie Rui Hachimura will miss the next five games after suffering a groin injury.
Hachimura, who has started every game so far in his first NBA season, played 17 minutes in his team's 133-119 road win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night before being forced off the court with the injury.
Hachimura appeared to sustain the injury when his teammate Isaac Bonga inadvertently kicked him between the legs as the players were fighting for a rebound with 24 seconds remaining in the first half.
[Getty/Kyodo]
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Hachimura immediately crumpled to the floor holding his groin and did not return to the game in the second half.
The Wizards tweeted at the time of the injury that he had sustained a "groin contusion."
The Wizards said the 21-year-old will be re-evaluated when the team returns from a four-game road trip which includes a visit to Eastern Conference heavyweight the Philadelphia 76ers and reigning NBA champions the Toronto Raptors.
The injury is a blow to a struggling Wizards franchise that has managed to accumulate just eight wins in their first 25 games.
Hachimura has been one bright spot, however, as he has averaged 13.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, ranking him in the top-five among all rookies in both statistics.
