Second-year forward Rui Hachimura said Monday he feels comfortable playing with a new-look Washington Wizards lineup following their "big win" against the Brooklyn Nets.
The 123-122 road victory Sunday against the fancied Nets was the second win in a row for Washington after they opened the season with five straight losses, four of which came when Hachimura was sidelined with an eye infection.
The rising Japanese talent contributed 15 points in his third game back for the Wizards, who traded franchise point guard John Wall for former MVP Russell Westbrook in the offseason.
Hachimura said he had found easy scoring opportunities while sharing the court with Westbrook, along with All-Star guard Bradley Beal and sharp shooter Davis Bertans.
"Right now, especially playing with Brad, Russ, DB (Bertans), those guys open up the floor so it's easy to post up," Hachimura said in an online interview.
The Toyama Prefecture native said he had improved his three-point shot in the offseason, while also working one-on-one with a strength trainer in Los Angeles.
"I think my body got stronger through this offseason," he said, adding there are no lingering effects from the illness or from missing games. "My body feels fine and I'm just ready to play my minutes."
Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said the 22-year-old has made noticeable progress from his rookie season in practice and on the court.
"I think the biggest thing is just his comfort level with his teammates. You can see it. He's said it many times now, he's not as reserved, he's not as shy," Brooks said in an online interview.
"You can see he's really coming into his own and our players are noticing it now."
Japanese forward Yuta Watanabe, meanwhile, scored his first points for his new club, the Toronto Raptors, in their 126-114 loss to the visiting Boston Celtics.
Watanabe registered three points, from one three-point basket, while also grabbing a rebound in four minutes off the bench at Amalie Arena.
The Raptors have made Tampa, Florida, and its Amalie Arena their temporary home while the coronavirus pandemic limits travel between the United States and Canada.
