[NBAE/Getty/Kyodo]

Rui Hachimura will be re-evaluated in around two weeks as he continues to recover from a minor procedure to treat a groin injury, the Washington Wizards rookie forward revealed Saturday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Wizards' 128-114 win over the Denver Nuggets, the 21-year-old from Japan said he felt ready to return to the court but was following the timeline set by the team's medical staff.

Originally expected to miss five games, Saturday's clash was the 10th game Hachimura has sat out since he was accidentally kicked in the groin by teammate Issac Bonga during the Wizards' win over the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 16.

"I feel good, I'm just ready to play...I can't wait to get back with the team," Hachimura said.

"I had a minor procedure, I think it was three weeks ago. It was just sore the whole time. I was just following the doctor, whatever they tell me."


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The Toyama Prefecture native said he felt "weird" watching the Wizards as a spectator during his longest-ever injury absence.

"It's been kind of weird because I've never been away from basketball like this," he said. "I miss being around the team."

The first player from Japan to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft, Hachimura has averaged 13.9 points per game as the Wizards' starting power forward.

He joined the team on the sidelines in their loss to Portland on Friday.

The Wizards are 12th in the NBA Eastern Conference with 11 wins and 24 losses.