The Nacionalinė Krepšinio Lyga (NKL) witnessed a tightly contested battle on May 7, 2026, as Neptūnas-Akvaservis Klaipėda held off a determined Šuduva Mantinga side to secure a 79–71 victory on home court. The win bolstered Neptūnas‑Akvaservis’s push for a strong finish in the regular season, while Šuduva Mantinga saw their playoff hopes take a hit despite a spirited second‑half rally.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Neptūnas‑Akvaservis established control through aggressive defense and efficient ball movement. They built a double‑digit lead in the second quarter, capitalizing on fast‑break opportunities and second‑chance points. Šuduva Mantinga struggled to find rhythm early, shooting below 40% from the field in the first half. However, a tactical adjustment after halftime saw them tighten defensively and claw back to within five points by the end of the third period.

The final quarter became a test of composure. Neptūnas‑Akvaservis leaned on their experienced backcourt to manage the clock and convert critical free throws down the stretch. Šuduva Mantinga’s perimeter shooters briefly threatened a comeback, but a key steal and dunk with under two minutes left sealed the result. The 79‑71 final score reflected a game where the home side’s early efficiency and late‑game execution made the difference.

Key Moments

• First‑half surge: Neptūnas‑Akvaservis opened a 44‑33 halftime lead thanks to a 12‑0 run midway through the second quarter.
• Šuduva’s third‑quarter response: A 9‑2 spurt early in the third period cut the deficit to 55‑50, forcing a Neptūnas timeout.
• Clutch free‑throwing: Neptūnas‑Akvaservis converted 18 of 22 free throws in the second half, compared to Šuduva’s 10 of 15.
• Decisive defensive stop: With the score at 74‑69 and 1:30 left, Neptūnas forced a shot‑clock violation, then scored on the next possession to effectively end the contest.

Standout Players

For the winners, guard Paulius Sėjūnas orchestrated the offense with 18 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals, repeatedly breaking Šuduva’s press. Forward Mantas Vaitkus added a double‑double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, dominating the glass on both ends. Šuduva Mantinga was led by Ernestas Jonkus, who poured in 22 points and 6 assists, but received insufficient support from his supporting cast—only one other teammate reached double figures.

Table and Season Impact

The victory improved Neptūnas‑Akvaservis’s record to 23‑12, keeping them firmly in the top four of the NKL standings and on track for home‑court advantage in the playoffs. Šuduva Mantinga fell to 18‑17, dropping to eighth place, now level on wins with two chasing teams. With three games remaining in the regular season, every result matters for the Mantingiškiai as they fight to secure a postseason berth. Head‑to‑head tiebreakers could become critical, making this loss particularly costly.

Neptūnas‑Akvaservis will look to extend their momentum when they travel to face Jonavos SC on May 10, while Šuduva Mantinga returns home to host Klaipėdos LCC krepšinis in a must‑win encounter. The NKL playoff race remains wide open, and this tightly fought contest at Klaipėda’s Švyturio Arena highlighted the depth and intensity of Lithuania’s second‑tier basketball league.