MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On the short walk from the interview room at FedExForum to the visiting locker room, Rui Hachimura reviewed his mental catalog of career highlights.
Nothing he found could top what he did in the Lakers' playoffs opener Sunday. Considering the team for which he was playing and what was at stake, he now counted his performance in the 128-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their first-round series as the greatest of his career.
"I really like the big stage," Hachimura said in Japanese. "In a place like this, I feel I can thrive. I like that I can give even more."