By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A big step toward clinching the top seed in Lithuania’s Betsafe LKL and attached homecourt advantage throughout the 2025 Playoffs for Zalgiris with a win, 83-76, versus Rytas in Twinsbet Arena on Sunday.
Stepping up following a left ankle injury forcing Alen Smailagic to an early exit, Isaiah Wong scored all of his nine points in the bottom end of the third quarter as the lead went into double digits. The advantage was reduced to four points late in the fourth quarter, but the visitors held on to secure a key win.
Laurynas Birutis scored seven points in the third period en route to a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. Banking in five points over a tough fourth quarter, Sylvain Francisco followed with 14 points. Edgaras Ulanovas and Ignas Brazdeikis chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively. Lukas Lekavicius remained sidelined for the Kaunas outfit.
Jumping to 18-2 and forcing the Vilnius-based club to 16-4, the team guided by Andrea Trinchieri increased the advantage from the defending champions to two games, with 16 games remaining in the schedule of the Regular Season.
On the losing end, Jayvon Graves ended up with a team-high 14 points, and Parker Jackson-Cartwright tallied 13 points. Besides recently signed Arturas Gudaitis, who has yet to officially launch the reunion and join his new teammates, the Basketball Champions League participant also missed injured Gytis Masiulis and Azuolas Tubelis.
STANDINGS: Zalgiris 18-2, Rytas 16-4, Wolves Twinsbet 12-7, CBet 10-10, 7bet-Lietkabelis 10-10, Uniclub Bet-Juventus 10-10…
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net