Washington Wizards: 3 Players that must perform in the postseason

Washington Wizards that must perform in the postseason: Rui Hachimura

Rui Hachimura has been a source of tentative excitement for Wizards fans over the past two seasons. Hachimura came onto the scene in 2019 with the high expectations of being a future Wizards star after the Wizards selected him ninth overall. However, after a strong rookie season, Hachimura has not quite made the “big leap” that fans had hoped for this season. Instead, this season has been full of inconsistency from the second-year forward.

However, there have been moments that have shown Hachimura’s potential, such as his viral dunk on Anthony Davis or tying his career-high in scoring with 30 points against the Charlotte Hornets in March.

On top of that, Rui finished the season with a streak of scoring 10 points or more in the last ten games that he played, scoring 20 or more in two of them. There are games, even stretches of games, where Hachimura can put it all together. If he can continue with this momentum into the postseason, it would be the perfect time for him to make the jump that fans have been waiting for.

As the postseason progresses, teams will be focusing on stopping Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook on the offensive end. The Wizards will need a third scorer to step up as opposing defenses tighten up. Hachimura has shown, at times, that he can be that third option. Now it’s time to prove that he can do it night in and night out on the postseason stage.