An incredible finale to the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL) season concluded with Kaunas Žalgiris claiming the title, defeating Vilnius Rytas 76:69 at home (15:15, 14:15, 21:25, 26:14) to take the series 3:2.
Until this game, only visiting teams had secured wins.
At the start, Rytas tried to take an early lead (7:2), but a Žalgiris run shifted the score to 8:7. Gytis Radzevičius evened the score, yet Isaiah Wong delivered crucial points for Žalgiris, leaving the first quarter tied at 15:15.
The second quarter saw a similar pattern. Deividas Sirvydis energized his team with a dunk and a two-pointer (21:17), but Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Gytis Masiulis answered, bringing the score to 23:21. Rytas extended its lead to 29:23, yet by halftime, the visitors held a narrow advantage at 30:29.
Rytas again tried to pull ahead (38:31), though Sylvain Francisco and Ignas Brazdeikis kept Žalgiris in contention. After Edgaras Ulanovas made free throws, the gap was just two points (38:40), but Rytas then took its largest lead of the game at 49:39.
D. Giedraitis ended the quarter with a long-range shot, bringing Žalgiris closer at 50:55.
Rytas quickly exploited Žalgiris’ foul limit, sending the home team to the line. Easy points reduced the difference (56:57), and Alenas Smailagičius tied the game with a three-pointer – 59:59. A. Gudaitis drew a foul and added a point, but I. Brazdeikis put Žalgiris ahead again – 61:60. P. Jackson-Cartwright scored a three-pointer, and L. Birutis maintained one free throw – 62:63.
With half a quarter remaining, Rytas scored again, sending I. Brazdeikis to the line – he made one point, 63:65. The score was tied by Žalgiris captain at 65:65, who drew a foul on the next possession but missed. I. Brazdeikis then sank a critical three-pointer (68:65), G. Radzevičius responded (67:68), with 90 seconds left.
A. Smailagičius scored (71:67), Žalgiris secured the rebound, and P. Jackson-Cartwright committed another foul. I. Brazdeikis sealed the victory with the final points – 74:67. Žalgiris held on to claim the championship.
Arnas Butkevičius played only one and a half minutes due to health issues. Matt Mitchell did not come off the bench.
„Žalgiris“: Sylvaina Francisco 15 (0/7 trit., 7 rez. perd.), Ignas Brazdeikis 14, Edgaras Ulanovas 13 (6 atk. kam.), Alen Smailagič 12, Deividas Sirvydis ir Laurynas Birutis (8 atk. kam.) – po 7.
„Rytas“: Ąžuolas Tubelis (10 atk. kam.) ir Parker Jackson-Cartwright – po 16, R.J.Cole 12, Gytis Masiulis 11, Gytis Radzevičius 7.