Former Gonzaga stars Rui Hachimura and Drew Timme played pivotal roles in the Los Angeles Lakers' thrilling 116-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. The Lakers, facing a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter, mounted a late rally led by Hachimura's scoring prowess. Hachimura, a key player for the Lakers since the 2022-23 season, scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds, including a crucial four-point play and a game-sealing 3-pointer with 2:15 left on the clock.
Timme, who started the season on the bench or with the Lakers' G League team, has seen his role expand in recent weeks. He contributed three rebounds, two steals, and an assist in eight minutes of play on Saturday. The third-year pro, Gonzaga's all-time leading scorer, set a career high with 21 points during a recent loss to Portland.
Luka Doncic, the star point guard, starred with 33 points and 11 assists, but it was the contributions from former Gonzaga players that truly made the difference for the Lakers. The game also featured other former Gonzaga players, including Ryan Nembhard, the NCAA assists leader from last season, who had two points and two assists for the Mavericks, and Klay Thompson, the Washington State Cougars legend, who recorded six points and three rebounds off the bench.
Additionally, Jalen Suggs, a former Gonzaga point guard, returned to the court after a three-week absence due to a knee injury. Suggs, who started the game and logged 24 minutes, contributed nine points and six assists for the Orlando Magic, despite losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-105. Suggs, a one-and-done sensation at GU in 2020-21, has been a key player for the Magic since being drafted fifth overall in 2021, and his return was a significant boost to the team's morale and performance.
