WASHINGTON -- Washington Wizards rookie forward Rui Hachimura will be reevaluated in two weeks while he continues to recover from a minor procedure associated with a groin injury he sustained Dec. 16 in Detroit.
Hachimura, the first player from Japan to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft, rejoined the team on the sideline Friday in the Wizards' loss to Portland.
"It's been kind of weird because I'm never away from basketball like this," Hachimura said Saturday.
"I watch the games on TV. Coach [Scott] Brooks and [general manager] Tommy [Sheppard] came to my house a couple days ago. I've been talking to my teammates."
Originally expected to be out five games, Hachimura has missed nine heading into Saturday's game against Denver. Washington has gone 2-7 without Hachimura, who averaged 13.9 points and 5.8 rebounds while starting all of the Wizards' first 25 games.
The injury occurred when teammate Isaac Bonga accidentally kicked Hachimura in the groin while trying to grab a rebound. Hachimura said Bonga felt bad and apologized, and that they are both "cool."
"I feel good," Hachimura said Saturday, three weeks after undergoing the groin procedure.
"I'm just ready to play. I can't wait to play. I can't wait to get back to the team and play games."
