Suduva Mantinga vs Neptunas-Akvaservis Klaipeda – Nacionaline Krepsinio Lyga (May 9, 2026)

In a closely contested matchup in Lithuania’s second-tier Nacionaline Krepsinio Lyga (NKL), Suduva Mantinga edged out Neptunas-Akvaservis Klaipeda 76–68 at home on May 9, 2026. The win boosted Suduva’s playoff positioning while dealing a blow to Neptunas-Akvaservis’s hopes of climbing the standings.

Game Flow

The first half was a defensive grind, with Suduva holding a narrow 36–34 lead at the break. The game opened up in the third quarter as both teams traded baskets, but Suduva’s bench provided a crucial spark. Mantinga used a 9–0 run early in the fourth quarter to create a double-digit advantage, and they held on despite a late Neptunas rally.

Leading Scorers

• Suduva Mantinga: Guard Mindaugas Kupšas poured in 22 points and dished out 5 assists. Center Paulius Morkeliūnas added 14 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. The team shot 47% from the field and 38% from three-point range.
• Neptunas-Akvaservis Klaipeda: Forward Ernestas Jonkus led Neptunas with 18 points, while point guard Tadas Švėgžda contributed 12 points and 7 assists. Neptunas struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 12 of 20 attempts.

Key Factor: Rebounding

Suduva dominated the glass, outrebounding Neptunas 42–31, including 14 offensive boards that led to 17 second-chance points. This proved decisive in a game where both offenses had inconsistent stretches.

Current Standings Context

With the win, Suduva Mantinga improved to 18–10, solidifying fifth place in the NKL table. Neptunas-Akvaservis fell to 14–14, sitting just outside the playoff zone in ninth place. The NKL season is entering its final month, and every game carries weight for postseason qualification.

What’s Next

Suduva will travel to face Kretingos Nemunas in their next contest, while Neptunas-Akvaservis returns home to take on the league-leading Liepaja team. Both sides are eager to build momentum before the playoffs.