LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo before the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo before the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Meets Rui Hachimura At Lakers Game

Originally posted on Dodger Blue | By Matt Borelli | Last updated Dec 2, 2025 12:10 PM ET

Since winning the 2025 World Series, several Los Angeles Dodgers players have attended sporting events throughout the city. That continued Monday night with Yoshinobu Yamamoto being on hand at Crypto.com Arena to watch the Los Angeles Lakers play the Phoenix Suns.

Yamamoto received a customized No. 18 Lakers jersey and posed for a photo with Rui Hachimura, a fellow native of Japan. Yamamoto also gifted Hachimura an autographed baseball.

Then during the game, Yamamoto was shown on the video board and received a nice ovation from the fans in attendance.

2025 World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto is in attendance for Suns/Lakers pic.twitter.com/FKKIYTB21e

— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2025

World Series MVP in the building for the #LakeShow! pic.twitter.com/IROctmrshM

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 2, 2025

Unfortunately, the Lakers fell to the Suns, 125-108, which snapped their seven-game winning streak. They still hold the second-best record in the Western Conference at 15-5.

Yamamoto became the latest Dodgers player to attend a Lakers game this season as Mookie Betts, Alex Call, Teoscar Hernández, Evan Phillips, Will Smith and Blake Snell were all recognized on the court shortly after the team repeated as World Series champions.

Synergy between the Dodgers and Lakers franchise has long been established, and it’s especially true now with Mark Walter becoming the new owner of the storied NBA team.

Dodgers executives assisting Mark Walter with Lakers front office

With the Lakers now officially under Walter’s control, he appears to be leaning on Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and special advisor Farhan Zaidi as the franchise navigates a transition period.

When it was announced the Lakers were being sold to Walter, it was met by a belief he would bring the storied NBA franchise to operate in similar fashion to the Dodgers.

That’s included not only putting a strong financial backing into the Dodgers, but also establishing a formidable organizational structure.

This article first appeared on Dodger Blue and was syndicated with permission.

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