On Tuesday evening, Rytas Vilnius kicked off their new FIBA Basketball Champions League season with a victory in front of their home fans, defeating visiting Warsaw 93–85 (29–23, 21–25, 24–22, 19–15). Giedrius Žibėnas’ squad won their opening game in a European competition for the first time in six years.
The game at Twinsbet Arena started tightly contested. Warsaw, led by former Rytas player Jayvon Graves, kept the match close for a long period. However, a late first-quarter run gave the hosts a lead they managed to hold. In the second quarter, the visitors briefly leveled the score, but Rytas maintained a two-point advantage going into halftime — 50–48.
In the middle of the third quarter, Rytas faced a tough moment — one of their leaders, Jerrick Harding, lost his balance and fell hard after contact while attempting a dunk. Up to that point, Harding had scored 20 points and was Rytas’ top scorer.
Teammate’s misfortune motivated the team — Rytas showed great character. In the fourth quarter, Artūras Gudaitis and debutant Jordan Walker took control. Their strong performance helped secure the win. Gudaitis scored crucial points at key moments, while Walker contributed 17 points and energy on defense.
For Warsaw, the standout was Jayvon Graves, familiar with Rytas’ home court, who recorded 23 points and 8 assists. However, his efforts were not enough for the visitors to claim the victory.
The entire Rytas family wishes Jerrick Harding strength and a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.