Starting power forward and one of the LA Clippers’ most prominent offseason acquisitions, Rui Hachimura, has been ruled out of Wednesday’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers with left quad soreness. According to Joey Linn, the injury was reported after Sunday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. While it’s considered day-to-day and not serious, the question remains: Who will start in Hachimura’s place?
Rui Hachimura reported left quad soreness after the game Sunday. He didn’t practice today and is out tomorrow.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) October 27, 2026
Announced just after the Hachimura update, the answer is Kobe Sanders. Head coach Tyronn Lue made the right call, given his size and what he can do on both sides of the ball.
Sanders started 16 games last season and had some of his best nights as a rookie in several. As a result, Lue choosing him puts the Clippers in the best position to improve to 2-2.
Tyronn Lue made the right choice by starting Kobe Sanders in Rui Hachimura’s shoes
To put it mildly, Kobe Sanders fits like a glove in the LA Clippers’ current starting five. He adds an extra layer of defense, the cherry on top of what Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., and Isaiah Jackson provide, and can consistently shoot the rock at 40% or better.
Not to mention, he is coming off his best game of the season against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he posted 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists on two made three-pointers. Him already being in a groove, and having momentum, ultimately backs up how Tyronn Lue made the right call.
In the same breath, though, one could argue Lue should’ve gone with a more offensively capable option like Keaton Wagler, the recently drafted fifth overall pick. The rookie is just as good, if not better, of a shooter, can really apply pressure on the rim, has a playmaking side to his game, and is excellent defensively.
It would’ve also been a good experience for the rookie and a chance to show the coaching staff he deserves a start.
While these may be true, the starting five would’ve lacked size.
Lue would have to move Dunn to small forward and Jones Jr. to power forward, and with an undersized Isaiah Jackson leading the way, the Clippers would’ve been far too easy to expose, especially on defense.
That said, Sanders was not only a good choice, but the best option available. At the same time, we’ll see if he runs with the opportunity he’s presented with.
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