2026 LKL Playoffs
Basketball playoffs in Lithuania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 LKL Playoffs known as the 2026 Betsson-LKL Playoffs for sponsorship purposes was the 31st edition of the LKL playoffs. The top eight finishers in the regular season competed for the championship. Playoffs began on 20 May 2026. Žalgiris was the defending champion and successfully defended title after winning final series 3–0 against Juventus. Žalgiris won the 26th LKL championship title.
Country
Lithuania
LithuaniaDates20–23 May 2026 (Quarterfinals)
26 May – 3 June 2026 (Semifinals)
6–13 June 2026
(Third place)
7–12 June 2026
(Finals)
26 May – 3 June 2026 (Semifinals)
6–13 June 2026
(Third place)
7–12 June 2026
(Finals)
Season2025–26
Teams8
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Lithuania |
| Dates | 20–23 May 2026 (Quarterfinals) 26 May – 3 June 2026 (Semifinals) 6–13 June 2026 (Third place) 7–12 June 2026 (Finals) |
| Season | 2025–26 |
| Teams | 8 |
| Defending champions | Žalgiris |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Žalgiris (26th title) |
| Runners-up | Juventus |
| Third place | Neptūnas |
| Fourth place | Lietkabelis |
The quarterfinals will be played in a best-of-three format with the higher seeded team playing the first and third (if necessary) game at home. Semifinals, third place game and final will be played in a best-of-five format, with the higher seed team playing games 1, 3 and 5 (if necessary) at home.
Notable events
- On 12 May 2026, the first LKL playoffs pair has been set. Rytas and Juventus will face each other in the quarterfinals.[1]
- On 13 May 2026, the second LKL playoffs pair has been set. Žalgiris will face Jonava Hipocredit in the quarterfinals stage.[2]
- On 14 May 2026, the schedule of the 2026 Betsson–LKL quarterfinals stage has been revealed.[3]
- On 17 May 2026, all quarterfinal matchups were revealed.[4]
- On 22 May 2026, Žalgiris and Lietkabelis are the first semifinalists.[5] Žalgiris defeated Jonava Hipocredit 2–0 in the best-of-three quarterfinals series, meaning Žalgiris remains the only team in the league’s history to have never missed the semifinals.[6] Meanwhile, Lietkabelis defeated Šiauliai 2–0 in the quarterfinal series and advanced to the semifinals for the ninth consecutive time. The last time Lietkabelis failed to reach the LKL top four was in the 2015–16 LKL season.[7]
- On 23 May 2026, Juventus and Neptūnas are the last 2026 LKL playoffs semifinalists. Juventus sensationally defeated Rytas 2–0 in the quarterfinals, meaning that Rytas will miss the LKL semifinals and medals for the first time since 1997. It is also the first time in league history that the seventh-seeded team has defeated the second-seeded team in the quarterfinals. Juventus had not reached the LKL semifinals since the 2020–21 LKL season, when they finished in fourth place.[8] Meanwhile, Neptūnas defeated Gargždai 2–0 in the quarterfinals and are returning to the LKL semifinals after a lengthy absence. Neptūnas last reached the semifinals in the 2018–19 LKL season, when they won the bronze medals.[9]
- On 31 May 2026, Žalgiris became the first finalist. In the semifinal series, Žalgiris defeated Lietkabelis 3–0. This will be 32nd finals appearance for Žalgiris from 33 possible. Lietkabelis will compete for third place and will try to win its fourth consecutive bronze medal.[10]
- On 3 June 2026, Juventus defeated Neptūnas 3–1 in the semifinal series to reach the LKL finals for the first time in club history, where they will face Žalgiris. Meanwhile, Neptūnas will take on Lietkabelis in the third-place series.[11] The series for third place will begin on 6 June 2026, while the finals series is set to start on 7 June 2026.[12]
- On 12 June 2026, Žalgiris defeated Juventus 3–0 in the finals series to claim its 26th LKL championship title. Žalgiris finished the season with only one loss, something it had last achieved in the 2011–12 LKL season.[13]
- On 13 June 2026, Neptūnas defeated Lietkabelis 3–1 to claim the bronze medals for the first time since the 2018–19 LKL season.[14]
Qualified teams
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Žalgiris | 32 | 31 | 1 | 2920 | 2457 | +463 | Higher seed in playoffs |
| 2 | Rytas | 32 | 20 | 12 | 2970 | 2730 | +240 | |
| 3 | Neptūnas | 32 | 17 | 15 | 2969 | 2889 | +80 | |
| 4 | Šiauliai | 32 | 17 | 15 | 2729 | 2802 | −73 | |
| 5 | Lietkabelis | 32 | 15 | 17 | 2668 | 2586 | +82 | Lower seed in playoffs |
| 6 | Gargždai | 32 | 15 | 17 | 2680 | 2797 | −117 | |
| 7 | Juventus | 32 | 12 | 20 | 2797 | 2896 | −99 | |
| 8 | Jonava Hipocredit | 32 | 9 | 23 | 2730 | 2999 | −269 |
Source: LKL.lt
Playoffs schedule
Bracket
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Žalgiris | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 8 | Jonava Hipocredit | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Žalgiris | 3 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | Lietkabelis | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Šiauliai | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | Lietkabelis | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Žalgiris | 3 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | Juventus | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Rytas | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | Juventus | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | Juventus | 3 | Third place | |||||||||||
| 3 | Neptūnas | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Neptūnas | 2 | 5 | Lietkabelis | 1 | |||||||||
| 6 | Gargždai | 0 | 3 | Neptūnas | 3 | |||||||||
Quarterfinals
Žalgiris vs. Jonava Hipocredit
Šiauliai vs. Lietkabelis
| 20 May 2026 Game 1 |
Šiauliai | 84–85 (Series: 0–1) |
Lietkabelis | Šiauliai |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:30 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 20–22, 23–23, 19–26, 22–14 | |||
| Pts: Henderson Jr. 19 Rebs: Pleikys 7 Asts: Kariniauskas 4 PIR: Henderson Jr. 20 |
Boxscore | Pts: Morris 24 Rebs: Maldūnas 7 Asts: Kullamäe 3 PIR: Morris 21 |
Arena: Šiauliai Arena Attendance: 2,594 Referees: Artūras Šukys, Saulius Račys, Andžej Urbanovič |
|
| 22 May 2026 Game 2 |
Lietkabelis | 93–77 (Series: 2–0) |
Šiauliai | Panevėžys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:15 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 23–21, 20–22, 28–15, 22–19 | |||
| Pts: Radičević 22 Rebs: Washington 8 Asts: Radičević 4 PIR: Radičević 26 |
Boxscore | Pts: Henderson Jr. 16 Rebs: Simanić 9 Asts: Kariniauskas 4 PIR: Simanić 18 |
Arena: Kalnapilio Arena Attendance: 2,148 Referees: Gytis Vilius, Jurgis Laurinavičius, Vidmantas Rušinas |
|
Rytas vs. Juventus
| 21 May 2026 Game 1 |
Juventus | 92–84 (Series: 1–0) |
Rytas | Utena[Note 5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:30 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 29–27, 26–22, 16–16, 21–19 | |||
| Pts: Lewis Rebs: Lewis, Uleckas 8 Asts: Valinskas 5 PIR: Lewis 25 |
Boxscore | Pts: Gudaitis 16 Rebs: Gudaitis 8 Asts: Marčiulionis 5 PIR: Masiulis 22 |
Arena: Utena Arena Attendance: 1,693 Referees: Gytis Vilius, Gintaras Mačiulis, Vidmantas Rušinas |
|
| 23 May 2026 Game 2 |
Rytas | 95–101 (Series: 0–2) |
Juventus | Vilnius |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:30 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 32–30, 24–20, 27–30, 12–21 | |||
| Pts: Smith 20 Rebs: Gudaitis 9 Asts: Sargiūnas, Marčiulionis 5 PIR: Smith 18 |
Boxscore | Pts: Diarra 30 Rebs: Šaulys, Valinskas 6 Asts: three players 4 PIR: Lewis 34 |
Arena: Active Vilnius Arena Attendance: 2,058 Referees: Artūras Šukys, Gvidas Gedvilas, Andžej Urbanovič |
|
Neptūnas vs. Gargždai
| 21 May 2026 Game 1 |
Neptūnas | 100–73 (Series: 1–0) |
Gargždai | Klaipėda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:30 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 22–25, 32–18, 22–14, 24–16 | |||
| Pts: Lomažs, Tarolis 17 Rebs: Tarolis 7 Asts: Velička 7 PIR: Tarolis 29 |
Boxscore | Pts: Pipkins 20 Rebs: Chargois 6 Asts: Pipkins 5 PIR: Pipkins 27 |
Arena: Švyturys Arena Attendance: 2,423 Referees: Saulius Račys, Juozas Barkauskas, Aurimas Borusas |
|
| 23 May 2026 Game 2 |
Gargždai | 74–84 (Series: 0–2) |
Neptūnas | Gargždai |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:10 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 22−19, 18−24, 10−19, 24−22 | |||
| Pts: Pipkins 18 Rebs: Gailius, Petrilevičius 6 Asts: Gailius 5 PIR: Petrilevičius 19 |
Boxscore | Pts: Lomažs 22 Rebs: Mačijauskas 10 Asts: Velička 4 PIR: Lomažs 23 |
Arena: Gargždų Arena Referees: Gintaras Maciulis, Juozas Barkauskas, Gabrielius Simonavičius |
|
Semifinals
Žalgiris vs. Lietkabelis
| 26 May 2026 Game 1 |
Žalgiris | 85–75 (Series: 1–0) |
Lietkabelis | Kaunas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 21–20, 21–20, 21–18, 22–17 | |||
| Pts: Francisco 20 Rebs: Tubelis 10 Asts: Francisco 6 PIR: Francisco 22 |
Boxscore | Pts: Morris 15 Rebs: Danusevičius 12 Asts: Five players 2 PIR: Danusevičius 24 |
Arena: Žalgiris Arena Attendance: 2,984 Referees: Artūras Šukys, Gvidas Gedvilas, Gintaras Mačiulis |
|
| 28 May 2026 Game 2 |
Lietkabelis | 75–95 (Series: 0–2) |
Žalgiris | Panevėžys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 19−20, 17–22, 20–32, 19−21 | |||
| Pts: Morris 15 Rebs: Danusevičius 7 Asts: Radičević 3 PIR: Morris 17 |
Boxscore | Pts: Francisco 27 Rebs: Giedraitis 7 Asts: Lô, Williams-Goss 5 PIR: Francisco 31 |
Arena: Kalnapilio Arena Attendance: 2,612 Referees: Saulius Račys, Jurgis Laurinavicius, Juozas Barkauskas |
|
| 31 May 2026 Game 3 |
Žalgiris | 103–93 (Series: 3–0) |
Lietkabelis | Kaunas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 29–27, 27–20, 19–21, 28–25 | |||
| Pts: Wright 25 Rebs: Tubelis 10 Asts: Francisco 6 PIR: Wright 32 |
Boxscore | Pts: Kullamäe 22 Rebs: Danusevičius 6 Asts: Radičević 6 PIR: Kullamäe 25 |
Arena: Žalgiris Arena Attendance: 5,765 Referees: Artūras Šukys, Jurgis Laurinavičius, Andžej Urbanovič |
|
Juventus vs. Neptūnas
| 27 May 2026 Game 1 |
Neptūnas | 83–96 (Series: 0–1) |
Juventus | Klaipėda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 20–25, 14–26, 18–19, 31–26 | |||
| Pts: Tarolis 20 Rebs: Tarolis 9 Asts: Velička 9 PIR: Tarolis 26 |
Boxscore | Pts: Diarra 20 Rebs: Vraneš 9 Asts: Valinskas 6 PIR: Vraneš 21 |
Arena: Švyturys Arena Attendance: 2,845 Referees: Gytis Vilius, Saulius Račys, Andžej Urbanovič |
|
| 29 May 2026 Game 2 |
Juventus | 86–83 (Series: 2–0) |
Neptūnas | Utena |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 26–23, 14–19, 17–23, 29–18 | |||
| Pts: Valinskas 29 Rebs: Vraneš 8 Asts: Uleckas 3 PIR: Valinskas 25 |
Boxscore | Pts: Šiliņš 17 Rebs: Šiliņš 8 Asts: Velička 12 PIR: Šiliņš 22 |
Arena: Utena Arena Attendance: 2,988 Referees: Artūras Šukys, Gvidas Gedvilas, Aurimas Borusas |
|
| 1 June 2026 Game 3 |
Neptūnas | 102–84 (Series: 1–2) |
Juventus | Klaipėda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 27–20, 24–22, 24–21, 27–21 | |||
| Pts: Velička 20 Rebs: Lomažs 8 Asts: Lomažs, Velička 6 PIR: Velička 19 |
Boxscore | Pts: Lewis 23 Rebs: Lewis 5 Asts: Lewis, Valinskas 4 PIR: Maxwell 27 |
Arena: Švyturys Arena Attendance: 2,596 Referees: Gytis Vilius, Gvidas Gedvilas, Gintaras Mačiulis |
|
| 3 June 2026 Game 4 |
Juventus | 103–90 (Series: 3–1) |
Neptūnas | Utena |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 25–23, 30–13, 23–34, 25–20 | |||
| Pts: Uleckas 21 Rebs: Vraneš 7 Asts: Valinskas 8 PIR: Uleckas 29 |
Boxscore | Pts: Lomažs 31 Rebs: Tarolis, Waterman 5 Asts: Velička 7 PIR: Lomažs 32 |
Arena: Utena Arena Attendance: 3,004 Referees: Artūras Šukys, Saulius Račys, Juozas Barkauskas |
|
Third place
| 6 June 2026 Game 1 |
Neptūnas | 86–73 (Series: 1–0) |
Lietkabelis | Klaipėda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 31–14, 15–23, 23–25, 17–11 | |||
| Pts: Šiliņš 15 Rebs: Tarolis 7 Asts: Velička 5 PIR: Velička 25 |
Boxscore | Pts: Kullamäe 25 Rebs: Maldūnas 9 Asts: Radičević 6 PIR: Kullamäe 22 |
Arena: Švyturys Arena Attendance: 1,447 Referees: Gytis Vilius, Jurgis Laurinavičius, Gintaras Mačiulis |
|
| 8 June 2026 Game 2 |
Lietkabelis | 80–68 (Series: 1–1) |
Neptūnas | Panevėžys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:30 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 18−28, 13−13, 25−13, 24–14 | |||
| Pts: Kullamäe 19 Rebs: Washington 10 Asts: Radičević 5 PIR: Kullamäe 20 |
Boxscore | Pts: Tarolis 16 Rebs: Tarolis 6 Asts: Velička 6 PIR: Tarolis 24 |
Arena: Kalnapilio Arena Attendance: 1,952 Referees: Saulius Račys, Gvidas Gedvilas, Andžej Urbanovič |
|
| 11 June 2026 Game 3 |
Neptūnas | 66–63 (Series: 2–1) |
Lietkabelis | Klaipėda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 15−24, 25−13, 10−15, 16−11 | |||
| Pts: Šiliņš 14 Rebs: Tarolis 9 Asts: Velička 4 PIR: Tarolis 23 |
Boxscore | Pts: Danusevičius 17 Rebs: Furmanavičius 10 Asts: Bičkauskis, Kullamäe 4 PIR: Danusevičius 22 |
Arena: Švyturys Arena Attendance: 2,510 Referees: Gytis Vilius, Gvidas Gedvilas, Gintaras Mačiulis |
|
| 13 June 2026 Game 4 |
Lietkabelis | 82–91 (Series: 1–3) |
Neptūnas | Panevėžys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 26–28, 16–22, 22–20, 18–21 | |||
| Boxscore | Arena: Kalnapilio Arena |
|||
Finals
| Žalgiris | Round | Juventus | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st place (31–1) | Regular season | 7th place (12–20) | ||
| Opponent | Series | Playoffs | Opponent | Series |
| Jonava Hipocredit | 2–0 | Quarterfinals | Rytas | 2–0 |
| Lietkabelis | 3–0 | Semifinals | Neptūnas | 3–1 |
| 7 June 2026 Game 1 |
Žalgiris | 107–75 (Series: 1–0) |
Juventus | Kaunas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 27–13, 18–21, 30–26, 32–15 | |||
| Pts: Tubelis 19 Rebs: Birutis 7 Asts: Francisco 6 PIR: Tubelis, Wright 23 |
Boxscore | Pts: Lewis 18 Rebs: Uleckas 7 Asts: Johnson 5 PIR: Lewis 17 |
Arena: Žalgiris Arena Attendance: 6,992 Referees: Artūras Šukys, Juozas Barkauskas, Aurimas Borusas |
|
| 9 June 2026 Game 2 |
Juventus | 69–100 (Series: 0–2) |
Žalgiris | Utena |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 13–24, 17–29, 17–23, 22–24 | |||
| Pts: Valinskas 17 Rebs: Uleckas 8 Asts: Valinskas 4 PIR: Lewis 17 |
Boxscore | Pts: Tubelis 20 Rebs: Ulanovas 9 Asts: Williams-Goss 7 PIR: Tubelis 30 |
Arena: Utena Arena Attendance: 3,124 Referees: Gytis Vilius, Saulius Račys, Gintaras Mačiulis |
|
| 12 June 2026 Game 3 |
Žalgiris | 95–77 (Series: 3–0) |
Juventus | Kaunas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:50 (EEST) | Scoring by quarter: 28−18, 22−21, 21−17, 24−21 | |||
| Pts: Sleva 19 Rebs: Butkevičius 8 Asts: Williams-Goss 10 PIR: Williams-Goss 19 |
Boxscore | Pts: Lewis 25 Rebs: Uleckas 9 Asts: Three players 3 PIR: Lewis 36 |
Arena: Žalgiris Arena Attendance: 12,688 Referees: Artūras Šukys, Jurgis Laurinavičius, Juozas Barkauskas |
|
| 2025–26 LKL champions |
|---|
| Žalgiris (26th title) |
Notes
- In case a third match is needed in the quarterfinals stage.
- In case a fifth match is needed in the semifinals stage.
- In case a fifth match is needed in the third place series.
- In case a fifth match is needed in the finals stage.
- Initially first quarterfinals game between Rytas and Juventus should be played in Vilnius. However, due to the occupancy of the Utena Arena, the first game of the series will be played in Utena on 21 May. The second and third games (if necessary) will be played in Vilnius.