Wikiwand AI

2025–26 LKL season

33rd season of the top-tier level professional basketball league of Lithuania From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2025–26 Lietuvos krepšinio lyga season, also called Betsson–LKL for sponsorship reasons, was the 33rd season of the top-tier level professional basketball league of Lithuania, the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga (LKL). Žalgiris successfully defended the championship after suffering just one loss through out the whole season and swapping finals debutants Juventus 3–0. Rytas Vilnius suffered the worst finish in club history during the season, being eliminated by Juventus in the quarter-finals, failing to reach at least the semifinals for the first time in club and league history.

Season2025–26
Duration20 September 2025 – 17 May 2026
(Regular season)
20 May 2026 – 13 June 2026
(Playoffs)
Games played166
Teams9
Quick facts Betsson-LKL, Season ...
Betsson-LKL
Season2025–26
Duration20 September 2025 – 17 May 2026
(Regular season)
20 May 2026 – 13 June 2026
(Playoffs)
Games played166
Teams9
Regular season
Season MVPLithuania Arnas Velička
Finals
ChampionsŽalgiris
(26th title)
Runners-upJuventus
Third placeNeptūnas
Fourth placeLietkabelis
Finals MVPLithuania Ąžuolas Tubelis
Awards
Breakthrough of the YearLithuania Lukas Kreišmontas
Coach of the YearLithuania Tomas Masiulis
Statistical leaders
Points United States Cedric Henderson 18.1
Rebounds Lithuania Artūras Gudaitis 7.3
Assists Lithuania Arnas Velička 7.1
Index Rating Lithuania Arnas Velička 20.1
Records
Biggest home winŽalgiris 108–71 Gargždai
(7 December 2025)
Biggest away winJonava Hipocredit 71–105 Rytas
(22 November 2025)
Highest scoringJonava Hipocredit 117–124 Neptūnas
(7 December 2025)
Winning streak27 games
Žalgiris
Losing streak11 games
Juventus
Highest attendance13,538
Žalgiris 79–75 Rytas
(2 November 2025)
Lowest attendance520
Jonava Hipocredit 95–90 Gargždai
(17 February 2026)
Seasons
Close

Teams

9 teams participated in the 2025–26 season. Two teams dropped out from the league during the summer period - M Basket-Delamode due to financial struggles decided to compete in NKL,[1] while Wolves Twinsbet due to failing to meet club's set ambitions and changes in gambling laws in Lithuania decided to suspend basketball activities altogether.[2] Because of dropouts, the league decided to invite Gargždai, a phoenix club of team which last time competed in the 2023–24 season.[3][4] Despite the changed number of teams, the format remained mostly the same as the last season, with 9 teams facing-off each other 4 times with top 8 teams advancing into Playoffs.[5]

Location of teams in 2025–26 LKL
More information Team, Location ...
Team Location Arena Capacity Last season
Gargždai Gargždai Gargždų Arena 1,400 —
Jonava Hipocredit Jonava Jonava Arena 2,200 4th
Juventus Utena Utena Arena 2,500 6th
Lietkabelis Panevėžys Kalnapilio Arena 5,950 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Neptūnas Klaipėda Švyturys Arena 6,200 8th
Nevėžis-Paskolų klubas Kėdainiai Kėdainiai Arena 2,200 9th
Rytas Vilnius Arena Vilnius 10,000 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Active Vilnius Arena 2,500
Šiauliai Šiauliai Šiauliai Arena 5,700 7th
Žalgiris Kaunas Žalgiris Arena 15,415 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Close

Personnel and kits

More information Team, Head coach ...
Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (chest)
GargždaiLithuanian Basketball Federation Tomas RinkevičiusLithuanian Basketball Federation Deividas GailiusHustle Point7bet
Jonava HipocreditLithuanian Basketball Federation Steponas BabrauskasLithuanian Basketball Federation Lukas KreišmontasAGODafta, Jonava, Hipocredit, Litas
JuventusLithuanian Basketball Federation Laimonas EglinskasLithuania Šarūnas BeniušisHustle PointUmaras, Uniclub Casino, Utenos mėsa
LietkabelisBasketball Federation of Serbia Nenad ČanakLithuania Vytenis LipkevičiusAGO7bet, Lietkabelis, Norfa
NeptūnasLithuanian Basketball Federation Gediminas PetrauskasLithuania Martynas PacevičiusPuma7bet, Klaipėdos konteinerių terminalas (KKT), Amberton Hotel Group
Nevėžis–Paskolų klubasLithuanian Basketball Federation Matas JuzeliūnasLithuania Ignas VaitkusAGOAutotoja, Optibet, Paskolų klubas
RytasLithuanian Basketball Federation Giedrius ŽibėnasLithuania Artūras GudaitisAGOOlybet, Utenos nealkoholinis
ŠiauliaiLithuanian Basketball Federation Darius SongailaLithuania Vaidas KariniauskasValorusCasino admiral
ŽalgirisLithuanian Basketball Federation Tomas MasiulisLithuania Edgaras UlanovasPumaGo3, payabl.
Close

Managerial changes

More information Team, Outgoing manager ...
TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableReplaced withDate of appointment
NeptūnasLithuanian Basketball Federation Vidas Ginevičius (interim)End of caretaker spell26 May 2025Pre-seasonLithuanian Basketball Federation Gediminas Petrauskas3 June 2025[6]
ŽalgirisItalian Basketball Federation Andrea TrinchieriParted ways23 June 2025[7]Lithuanian Basketball Federation Tomas Masiulis28 June 2025[8]
Nevėžis-Paskolų klubasLithuanian Basketball Federation Gediminas PetrauskasEnd of contract3 June 2025[9]Lithuanian Basketball Federation Laimonas Eglinskas29 June 2025[10]
ŠiauliaiLithuanian Basketball Federation Darius Pakamanis (interim)End of caretaker spell27 May 2025Lithuanian Basketball Federation Darius Songaila3 July 2025[11]
GargždaiLithuanian Basketball Federation Povilas ŠakinisEnd of contract25 Apr 2025Lithuanian Basketball Federation Tomas Rinkevičius18 July 2025[12]
Jonava HipocreditLithuanian Basketball Federation Mantas ŠerniusSigned by Žalgiris28 June 2025[13]Lithuanian Basketball Federation Paulius Juodis29 July 2025[14]
Lithuanian Basketball Federation Paulius JuodisMutual agreement7 October 2025[15]9th (0–4)Lithuanian Basketball Federation Steponas Babrauskas[note 1]7 October 2025[15]
21 October 2025[16]
Nevėžis-Paskolų klubasLithuanian Basketball Federation Laimonas EglinskasFired16 April 2026[17]8th (8–17)Lithuanian Basketball Federation Matas Juzeliūnas16 April 2026[17]
JuventusLithuanian Basketball Federation Kęstutis KemzūraResigned20 April 2026[18]7th (8–17)Lithuanian Basketball Federation Ugnius Nikitinas (interim)20 April 2026[18]
Lithuanian Basketball Federation Ugnius Nikitinas (interim)End of caretaker spell21 April 2026[19]8th (8–18)Lithuanian Basketball Federation Laimonas Eglinskas21 April 2026[19]
Close

Regular season

League table

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Qualification or relegation
1 Žalgiris 32 31 1 2920 2457 +463 Advance to playoffs
2 Rytas 32 20 12 2970 2730 +240
3 Neptūnas 32 17[a] 15 2969 2889 +80
4 Šiauliai 32 17[a] 15 2729 2802 −73
5 Lietkabelis 32 15[b] 17 2668 2586 +82
6 Gargždai 32 15[b] 17 2680 2797 −117
7 Juventus 32 12 20 2797 2896 −99
8 Jonava Hipocredit 32 9 23 2730 2999 −269
9 Nevėžis-Paskolų klubas 32 8 24 2654 2961 −307
Close
Source: LKL.lt
Rules for classification: 1) Win–loss record; 2) Percentage of wins; 3) Head–to–head record; 4) Head–to–head percentage of wins; 5) Head–to–head point difference; 6) Head–to–head points scored; 7) Point difference; 8) Points scored; 9) Lottery draw (Note: Head–to–head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)[20]
Notes:
  1. [a]
    Neptūnas are ahead of Šiauliai on head-to-head points difference: Neptūnas +18; Šiauliai -18.
  2. [b]
    Lietkabelis are ahead of Gargždai on head-to-head points difference: Lietkabelis +16; Gargždai -16.

Results

More information Home \ Away, GAR ...
Home \ Away GAR JON JUV LIE NEP NEV RYT SIA ZAL
Gargždai — 103–73 91–74 80–89 87–104 86–79 82–78 85–93 73–89
— 104–109 89–82 64–89 81–70 88–81 103–98 78–81 63–69
Jonava Hipocredit 75–82 — 82–98 85–96 117–124 86–82 71–105 79–85 78–87
95–90 — 90–95 69–67 81–64 90–89 84–101 86–70 84–101
Juventus 104–78 104–95 — 82–73 90–97 84–90 85–92 86–73 75–91
98–103 85–86 — 80–83 102–91 76–92 82–87 87–82 83–94
Lietkabelis 70–79 101–74 89–83 — 84–96 100–76 89–84 80–86 77–81
69–78 91–80 91–69 — 83–80 105–72 96–71 75–77 82–94
Neptūnas 102–74 117–113 85–72 97–87 — 113–82 95–87 101–103 71–84
91–97 95–89 95–89 96–87 — 88–93 91–98 98–83 90–93
Nevėžis-Paskolų klubas 94–87 83–85 79–96 77–69 85–92 — 64–82 107–93 68–94
85–90 88–85 95–98 81–80 82–110 — 88–117 87–88 67–91
Rytas 99–73 104–72 96–99 73–84 97–93 104–74 — 94–79 81–90
98–77 98–81 102–80 96–81 100–95 105–91 — 102–72 70–75
Šiauliai 83–94 93–78 102–108 87–80 89–85 98–95 100–105 — 71–75
83–73 96–77 97–90 67–64 81–90 95–75 107–90 — 78–91
Žalgiris 108–71 104–91 98–68 85–87 112–77 88–73 79–75 93–72 —
85–77 97–90 108–93 87–70 87–76 98–80 98–81 94–65 —
Close
Source: LKL.lt
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Playoffs

Main article: 2026 LKL Playoffs

Quarterfinals will be played in a best–of–three format, while the semifinals, third place game and final in a best-of-five format.

Bracket

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
                      
1 Žalgiris 102 90 – 2
8 Jonava Hipocredit 82 75 – 0
1 Žalgiris 85 95 103 – – 3
5 Lietkabelis 75 75 93 – – 0
4 Šiauliai 84 77 – 0
5 Lietkabelis 85 93 – 2
1 Žalgiris 107 100 95 – – 3
7 Juventus 75 69 77 – – 0
2 Rytas 84 95 – 0
7 Juventus 92 101 – 2
7 Juventus 96 86 84 103 – 3 Third place
3 Neptūnas 83 83 102 90 – 1
3 Neptūnas 100 84 – 2 5 Lietkabelis 73 80 63 82 – 1
6 Gargždai 73 74 – 0 3 Neptūnas 86 68 66 91 – 3


2025–26 LKL champions
Žalgiris
(26th title)

Final standings

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W L Qualification or relegation
1 Žalgiris (C) 40 39 1 Already qualified to EuroLeague
2 Juventus 41 17 24 Qualification to Champions League regular season
3 Neptūnas 42 23 19 Qualification to EuroCup
4 Lietkabelis 41 18 23
5 Rytas 34 20 14 Qualification to Champions League regular season
6 Šiauliai 34 17 17 Qualification to EuroCup
7 Gargždai 34 15 19
8 Jonava Hipocredit 34 9 25
9 Nevėžis-Paskolų klubas 32 8 24
Close
Source: LKL.lt
(C) Champions

Attendances to arenas

Average attendances

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Total High Low AverageChange
1 Žalgiris 100,031 13,538 783 4,763 −9.1%†
2 Rytas 47,378 9,186 1,285 2,786 −19.8%†
3 Šiauliai 42,425 5,146 1,314 2,495 +10.7%†
4 Neptūnas 49,031 4,449 1,381 2,334 +2.5%†
5 Lietkabelis 38,984 5,181 898 1,949 −1.9%†
6 Juventus 32,823 3,124 843 1,641 +17.7%†
7 Nevėžis-Paskolų klubas 21,358 2,389 938 1,334 +15.2%†
8 Gargždai 22,217 1,500 823 1,306 n/a1
9 Jonava Hipocredit 16,099 2,200 520 947 −26.0%†
League total 370,346 13,538 520 2,231 −3.8%†
Close

Source: LKL.lt
Notes:
1: Team made its debut.

Statistics

As of 13 June 2026

Source: LKL.lt

Performance Index Rating

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Club Games Rating PIR
1.Lithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnas4181019.8
2.Lithuania Artūras GudaitisRytas2852218.6
3.Latvia Rihards LomažsNeptūnas4173417.9
4.United States Jerrick HardingRytas2440616.9
5.Lithuania Lukas UleckasJuventus4066616.7
Close

Points

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Club Games Points PPG
1.United States Cedric HendersonŠiauliai3156218.1
2.United States Jerrick HardingRytas2441217.2
3.Latvia Rihards LomažsNeptūnas4167416.4
4.United States Justin TurnerGargždai2235516.1
5.Estonia Kristian KullamäeLietkabelis4165516
Close

Rebounds

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Club Games Rebounds RPG
1.Lithuania Artūras GudaitisRytas282057.3
2.CanadaRepublic of the Congo J.D. MuilaNevėžis–Paskolų klubas302187.3
3.Lithuania Paulius DanusevičiusLietkabelis402817
4.Lithuania Lukas UleckasJuventus402536.3
5.Lithuania Oskaras PleikysŠiauliai342106.2
Close

Assists

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Club Games Assists APG
1.Lithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnas412897
2.United States Makai Ashton-LangfordJonava Hipocredit301705.7
3.United States Nigel Williams-GossŽalgiris231285.6
4.United States Speedy SmithRytas19934.9
5.FranceUnited States Sylvain FranciscoŽalgiris301424.7
Close

Individual game highs

More information Category, Player ...
Category Player Club Opponent Statistic
PIR Lithuania Ignas SargiūnasRytasLietkabelis (Mar 22, 2026)58
Points Lithuania Ignas SargiūnasRytasLietkabelis (Mar 22, 2026)43
Rebounds Lithuania Lukas UleckasJuventusNeptūnas (May 2, 2026)15
Assists United States Makai Ashton-LangfordJonava HipocreditGargždai (May 2, 2026)15
Lithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnasRytas (Jan 31, 2026)
Steals Lithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnasLietkabelis (Jan 24, 2026)5
United States Lesley VarnerJonava HipocreditŽalgiris (Feb 1, 2026)
United States Trenton McLaughlinNevėžis–Paskolų klubasRytas (Dec 6, 2025)
United States Dayvion McKnightŠiauliaiJonava Hipocredit (Apr 3, 2026)
Lithuania Evaldas ŠaulysJuventusNevėžis–Paskolų klubas (May 9, 2026)
Latvia Rihards LomažsNeptūnasJonava Hipocredit (May 17, 2026)
United States Makai Ashton-LangfordJonava HipocreditŽalgiris (May 22, 2026)
Blocks United States Maxwell LewisJuventusŽalgiris (Jun 9, 2026)4
United StatesCyprus Moses WrightŽalgirisGargždai (Dec 7, 2025)
United StatesNorth Macedonia Jacob WileyRytasNevėžis–Paskolų klubas (Sep 21, 2025)
Close

Other statistics

More information Category, Player ...
Category Player Club Games Average
Steals United States Dayvion McKnightŠiauliai321.4
Blocks United States Maxwell LewisJuventus191.2
Turnovers Lithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnas413
Fouls drawn Lithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnas416
Minutes United States Justin TurnerGargždai2230:47
FT % United States Kenny CheryJuventus23100%
2-Point % Lithuania Šarūnas BeniušisJuventus4175.7%
3-Point % Lithuania Lukas KreišmontasJonava Hipocredit2848.2%
Close

Club statistics

More information Category, Club ...
Category Club Average
PIR Žalgiris114.4
Points Rytas92.6
Rebounds Žalgiris38
Assists Žalgiris23.4
Steals Šiauliai7.3
Blocks Rytas4
Turnovers Nevėžis–Paskolų klubas14.1
FT % Rytas76.6%
2-Point % Žalgiris60.9%
3-Point % Žalgiris37.7%
Close

Awards

All official awards of the 2025–26 LKL season.

Regular Season MVP

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Team Source
PGLithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnas[21]
Close

LKL Finals MVP

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Team Source
PF/CLithuania Ąžuolas TubelisŽalgiris[22]
Close

Breakthrough of the Year

More information Player, Team ...
Player Team Source
Lithuania Lukas KreišmontasJonava Hipocredit[23]
Close

Coach of the Year

More information Coach, Team ...
Coach Team Source
Lithuania Tomas MasiulisŽalgiris[24]
Close

All-LKL Team

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Team Source
PGLithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnas[25]
SGLatvia Rihards LomažsNeptūnas
SFUnited States Cedric Henderson Jr.Šiauliai
PFLithuania Ąžuolas TubelisŽalgiris
CLithuania Artūras GudaitisRytas
Close

MVP of the Month

More information Month, Player ...
Month Player Team PIR Source
2025
September–OctoberLithuania Artūras GudaitisRytas22[26]
NovemberUnited States Augustine RubitLietkabelis25.3[27]
DecemberLithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnas26.7[28]
2026
JanuaryUnited States Jerrick HardingRytas28.3[29]
FebruaryUnited States Cedric Henderson Jr.Šiauliai25[30]
MarchLithuania Ignas SargiūnasRytas33[31]
AprilLithuania Arnas VeličkaNeptūnas23.5[32]
MayLithuania Gytis MasiulisRytas23.3[33]
Close

LKL clubs in international competitions

More information Team, Competition ...
Euroleague Basketball competitions
TeamCompetitionProgressResultW–L
ŽalgirisEuroLeagueRegular season5th place out of 20 teams (23–15)24–18
PlayoffsLoss vs. Turkey Fenerbahçe Beko (1–3)
LietkabelisEuroCupRegular season Group B9th place out of 10 teams5–13
Neptūnas Regular season Group A8th place out of 10 teams7–11
Close
More information Team, Competition ...
FIBA competitions
TeamCompetitionProgressResultW–L
RytasChampions LeagueRegular season Group A1st place out of 4 teams (4–2)12–4
Round of 16 Group I1st place out of 4 teams (4–2)
QuarterfinalsWin vs. Czech Republic ERA Nymburk (2–0)
SemifinalsWin vs. Spain La Laguna Tenerife
FinalWin vs. Hellenic Basketball Federation AEK Betsson
Juventus Qualifying tournament 3 Quarter–finalsWin vs. Finland Karhu Kauhajoki1–1
Qualifying tournament 3 Semi–finalsLoss vs. Spain UCAM Murcia
Close

Notes

  1. [1]
    Babrauskas was initially named as interim head coach, before being appointed on a permanent basis on 21 October 2025.

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks