Rui Hachimura on Lue’s rebound challenge: ‘I just got to go get it’

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Oct. 14, 2026 — Rui Hachimura finished the Clippers’ preseason as the team’s leading scorer in a 122-110 win over Denver — 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 3-of-5 from three, and a perfect 3-of-3 at the line in 24 minutes — and then spent his postgame availability on the challenge Tyronn Lue has already put in writing: more rebounds.

Hachimura grabbed five boards, added two steals and one assist, and talked through how Los Angeles plans to survive a smaller frontcourt, handle double teams with Darius Garland, and keep rookie Keaton Wagler aggressive from deep.

Lue’s 7–8 rebound challenge

Lue told reporters he has challenged Hachimura to average seven or eight rebounds this season because of the Clippers’ size profile. Hachimura did not dodge it. “Yeah, I just got to go get it,” he said. “Those are those rebounds we need, especially as our team, we need a rebound. So that’s the first thing that we talk about with coaching staff when I got here — rebounding. So I’m here for it.”

He also owned the lazy possessions. “It’s not only the defensive rebound — offensive rebound, too,” Hachimura said. “We have a couple times I have an opportunity to crash to the rim and sometimes I just get lazy. So I got to just keep that in mind and keep trying.”

Double teams, and Garland as the organizer

With Brandon out to open the year, Hachimura expects heavy attention. On preparing with Garland, he said the work is already in practice. “Yeah, we practicing it,” Hachimura said. “Tyler will be putting all the stuff that when we get the double team and the spots and everybody else and how we get to the spot. So yeah, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

Asked what it is like working with a point guard who will facilitate and organize those looks, Hachimura praised the communication. “It’s been great. He’s a great leader. He been communicating a lot — not just me, but everybody else,” he said. “That’s what we want from the point guard, and I think he been doing that. And he make the right play every time. He always make the right passes. So yeah, it’s been fun to play with.”

On whether extra attention — including how Denver guarded him early — changes his approach, he kept the frame on the group. “It’s just not about me,” Hachimura said. “It’s play for each other. We have to help each other to win these games. … We’re going to keep building that chemistry.”

Wagler’s deep threes and the spacing

Hachimura said watching Wagler take step-back threes well behind the line has been a surprise and a spacing tool. “It’s been amazing,” he said. “He don’t — he’s not scared. He been shooting those threes, step back and all that. It’s hard for the rookies to do, but … I want him to keep going. I think he has more opportunity here, too. So yeah, I want him to keep being aggressive and to be who he is.”

On advice for a high pick feeling the speed of the league: “You just got to play hard every game — coming out just being aggressive, not offensively, everything — defense, rebounds, everything,” Hachimura said. “I feel … the game’s a little speedy, but I think he’s going to catch up soon and he going to be fine for sure.”

Ready for next week

Three preseason games were enough for Hachimura’s confidence check. “Yeah, for sure,” he said when asked if the Clippers feel ready for meaningful basketball. “We had this amazing three games. And also we’ve been practicing every day with the high intensity. … Today was the big test for us, and in the beginning we were kind of struggling, but we kind of picked it up and then we did what we supposed to do. … It was a great team win.”

Why it matters

Hachimura’s scoring has been the easy part of these exhibitions. The harder ask from Lue — board work in a small starting five, quick decisions when the double comes, and mentoring Wagler’s spacing — is what he spent Oct. 14 answering. Opening night is next week.