It’s not simple to beаt an NBA All-Star at the FIBA World Cup. The Japanese national squad, appropriately titled The Akatsuki, used the enthusiasm of the Okinawa crowd to defeat Lauri Markkanen and Finland. With Keisei Tominaga, Makoto Hiejima, Yuki Kawamura, and Joshua Hawkinson, they fielded a four-headed monster. Los Angeles Lakers player Rui Hachimura could have joined the team, but he was content to cheer on the squad from afar.

The Lakers player absolutely beamed with pride at the Akatsuki’s success. They are not without a possibility of advancing to the FIBA World Cup semifinals. After their victory over Lauri Markkanen’s team, Rui Hachimura could not contain his excitement and wrote about it online.

“Big win for @JAPANBASKETBALL today! Continue the momentum and cheer them on as they face Australia, he tweeted.

Joshua Hawkinson scored 28 points on 62.5% shooting to lead Japan in scoring despite the Lakers star’s absence. Yuki Kawamura matched it with 25 points of his own. Equally efficient scorers, Keisei Tominaga and Makoto Hiejima each tallied 17 points. Even though Yuta Watanabe had trouble scoring from all three levels, they still prevailed.

The team’s next opponent will be the Australian Boomers. Given their extensive skill sets, success is unlikely. Internationally, Josh Giddey, Joe Ingles, Xavier Cooks, and Patty Mills have all shown their mettle. This Japanese team, though, showed that they are not to be trifled with.