By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Japan is playing its last card to make it to the Olympic quarterfinals and needs a win with the biggest possible point margin against Brazil to make it.
However, the Asian team must take its shot without their biggest star, Rui Hachimura.
As officially announced by the Japanese basketball federation, Hachimura will not be able to compete for the rest of the Olympics due to a left calf injury.
“Due to the need for early treatment of my injury, I regret to inform you that I will no longer be able to be part the team in accordance with NBA/FIBA rules,” Hachimura said according to the press release. “I would like to sincerely thank the fans who supported us on site, basketball fans around the world, and fans in Japan.”
Japan can still end up being one of the two best third-placed teams of the group phase with a win over Brazil.
In the first two games of the Olympic tournament Hachimura scored 22 points per average.