Zalgiris Kaunas Dominates Lietkabelis in LKL Showdown

On the evening of May 10, 2026, the Lietuvos Krepsinio Lyga (LKL) witnessed a commanding performance from league giants Zalgiris Kaunas as they dismantled Lietkabelis with an 87–70 victory at the Zalgirio Arena. The home side used a stifling second‑quarter run to seize control and never looked back, reinforcing their status as the team to beat in Lithuanian basketball.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Zalgiris set the tempo with aggressive defense and crisp ball movement. After a competitive first quarter that ended 22–18 in favor of the hosts, the Kaunas machine shifted into high gear. A 14‑0 burst early in the second period stretched the lead to double digits, and by halftime Zalgiris held a comfortable 48–33 advantage. Lietkabelis struggled to find consistent offense against Zalgiris’s rotating zone defense, shooting just 39% from the field through three quarters.

Key Performers

• Edgaras Ulanovas (Zalgiris) – The veteran forward was instrumental, posting 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. His leadership on both ends of the floor kept Lietkabelis off balance.
• Keenan Evans (Zalgiris) – The American guard added 14 points and 7 assists, often breaking the press with quick dribble penetration.
• Lietkabelis’s Vytenis Lipkevičius – One of the few bright spots for the visitors, Lipkevičius scored 16 points, including three three‑pointers in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided.

Tactical Story

Zalgiris head coach Andrea Trinchieri employed a aggressive full‑court press in the second quarter that forced seven turnovers in a five‑minute span. Lietkabelis struggled to get the ball inside against the length of Zalgiris’s frontcourt, where center Laurynas Birutis recorded 3 blocks. Offensively, Zalgiris moved the ball with purpose, recording 22 assists on 31 made field goals. The home team also dominated the glass, out‑rebounding Lietkabelis 42–28, with 12 offensive boards leading to 15 second‑chance points.

Season Implications

With this win, Zalgiris improved to 18‑3 on the LKL season, further solidifying their hold on first place in the regular‑season standings. Lietkabelis fell to 12‑9, dropping into a tie for fifth place. The result also extended Zalgiris’s home‑court winning streak to 14 games, a mark that bodes well ahead of the upcoming playoffs.