4 Takeaways from the Washington Wizards’ 129-119 loss to the Utah Jazz
By Ethan Smith
Rui Hachimura Needs to Shoot More Threes
It’s no secret that Rui Hachimura is no three-point specialist. While the rookie has an impressive offensive arsenal, the three-point shot is not his deadliest weapon. Hachimura is shooting just 27 percent from three on the season.
However, recently, Hachimura has shown a slight improvement from beyond the arc. Since returning from injury, Hachimura seems to have found his range. In his ten games since his extended absence, Hachimura has been remarkably better, making eight of his 17 attempts (47 percent).
However, even though he’s knocking them down more frequently, Hachimura isn’t really shooting them any more frequently. Since the injury, Hachimura is averaging just 1.7 attempts per game, actually slightly less than he was averaging before being sidelined.
Less than a full season into his NBA career, Hachimura already looks good in the midrange and around the rim, if he can work on adding the three-pointer during the final month and a half of the season, he could be unstoppable next season.
In the loss, he finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and went 1-2 from beyond the arc.