Second-year forward Rui Hachimura made his NBA season debut for the Washington Wizards on Thursday, scoring 17 points and grabbing five rebounds in a 133-130 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Hachimura also dished three assists in 25 minutes for the struggling Wizards, who have lost all five games this season after trading the longtime face of the franchise, John Wall, to the Houston Rockets for former MVP Russell Westbrook.
Washington had projected Hachimura to be out for three weeks after announcing he had an eye infection on Dec. 21. But the 22-year-old talent from Japan recovered faster than initially expected to start against the Bulls in a Wizards frontcourt also including Israeli rookie Deni Avdija.
"I think I was able to help the team, but we didn't win, so there's work to be done. There are a lot of games left to play and we need to build momentum," Hachimura said after the game at Washington's Capital One Arena.
Otto Porter Jr. scored 28 points to lead the visiting Bulls, who improved to 2-3. Center Thomas Bryant and All-Star guard Bradley Beal scored 28 each for the Wizards, while Westbrook contributed 22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a triple-double performance.
Hachimura's Japan national teammate Yuta Watanabe also made his first NBA appearance of the season Thursday, logging four boards and an assist in nine minutes off the bench for the Toronto Raptors, who beat the New York Knicks 100-83.
The 26-year-old forward is on a two-way contract that splits his time between the Raptors and their minor-league affiliate.
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