Zalgiris Kaunas survived a scare from Nevezis Kedainiai, escaping with an 80-76 road victory in the Lietuvos Krepsinio Lyga on October 11, 2026. The defending champions were pushed to the limit by a determined Nevezis side, but their experience and late-game execution made the difference.

Match Overview

Zalgiris started strong, taking a 22-18 lead after the first quarter, but Nevezis fought back in the second to tie the game at 40-40 at halftime. The third quarter was a seesaw battle, with neither team able to gain more than a four-point edge. In the fourth, Zalgiris finally created some separation, but Nevezis kept coming, cutting the lead to two in the final minute before Zalgiris iced the game at the free-throw line.

• First Quarter: Nevezis 18, Zalgiris 22
• Second Quarter: Nevezis 22, Zalgiris 18
• Third Quarter: Nevezis 19, Zalgiris 20
• Fourth Quarter: Nevezis 17, Zalgiris 20
• Final: Nevezis 76, Zalgiris 80

Key Moments

With 2:30 left and Zalgiris leading 74-70, Nevezis's Tomas Petrauskas hit a tough turnaround jumper to cut it to two. But Zalgiris responded with a clutch three-pointer from Marius Jonušas to push the lead back to five. Nevezis had one last chance, but a missed three-pointer and a defensive rebound by Zalgiris sealed the game. Domantas Šiškauskas made two free throws with 8 seconds left to provide the final margin.

Standout Performers

Marius Jonušas led Zalgiris with 22 points, including four three-pointers, and added 6 assists. Domantas Šiškauskas recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Lukas Adomaitis contributed 14 points. For Nevezis, Tomas Petrauskas was spectacular with 26 points and 8 rebounds, and Rokas Jankūnas added 18 points. However, Nevezis's bench was outscored 28-12, which proved costly.

Tactical Story

Zalgiris's depth and experience were the difference in the end. They used a balanced attack and made timely defensive stops when it mattered. Nevezis relied heavily on their star players and struggled to generate offense when Zalgiris tightened its defense in the fourth quarter. Zalgiris also dominated the free-throw line, making 18 of 22 attempts compared to Nevezis's 10 of 14. The rebounding battle was nearly even, but Zalgiris's ability to hit clutch shots separated the two teams.

Season Impact

The win keeps Zalgiris Kaunas at the top of the Lietuvos Krepsinio Lyga standings, maintaining their pursuit of another title. It also extends their head-to-head dominance over Nevezis Kedainiai. For Nevezis, the loss is a moral victory of sorts, proving they can compete with the league's best. They will take confidence from this performance as they aim for a playoff spot. Zalgiris, meanwhile, will be relieved to escape with a win and will look to improve their consistency.

In a league where every game matters, Zalgiris's ability to win ugly on the road is a hallmark of a champion. The 80-76 result may not be pretty, but it's the kind of win that builds character.