Valanciunas Flirts with Double-Double, Zalgiris Win Both Preseason Games

When Jonas Valanciunas stepped onto the court in the green and white of Zalgiris Kaunas, the arena erupted. Not because he scored 14 points or grabbed 9 rebounds – but because the presence of an NBA star under contract with the Washington Wizards in a preseason friendly was nearly unthinkable. Yet there it was, and it raised questions far bigger than the 82-77 scoreline against Juventus Utena. This was Zalgiris' second consecutive preseason win, but the real story wasn't the result – it was how the Lithuanian side operated with one of the greatest centers in their nation's basketball history. Zalgiris Kaunas is one of Europe's most storied clubs, with 23 national championships and 6 EuroLeague Final Four appearances. But in recent years, they've struggled to maintain their standing on the continent's biggest stage. For the 2026-25 season, they appointed Andrea Trinchieri – an Italian coach known for his fast-paced offense and pressure defense. Against that backdrop, Jonas Valanciunas' appearance in the friendly against Juventus Utena was a special event. Valanciunas, now 32, holds a $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards. He cannot officially play for Zalgiris next season, but this was a tribute match, a chance to return to his roots and give back to the fans. The game took place at the Zalgirio Arena, a venue that has witnessed historic moments in Lithuanian basketball. The game started at a slow pace. Juventus Utena, a mid-table team in the Lithuanian league, surprisingly led 23-18 after the first quarter. But in the second quarter, Zalgiris woke up. They went on an impressive 16-0 run, turning the game around and finishing the half with a 45-33 lead. What made the difference? From my experience following many EuroLeague games, the key lay in their transition defense. When Valanciunas grabbed a rebound, he quickly passed to Nigel Williams-Goss – who finished with 6 assists – to initiate the fast break. Williams-Goss, a former Olympiacos star, reads the game exceptionally well, always finding teammates in advantageous positions. Dustin Sleva, a new signing from Bayern Munich, scored 10 points through intelligent off-ball movement. Marius Grigonis, the Lithuanian sharpshooter, contributed 9 points. Sabien Lee, the 25-year-old newcomer, had 8 points in his debut, showing confidence and good ball-handling skills. However, the third quarter was a warning. When Valanciunas rested, Zalgiris lost their presence in the paint. Juventus capitalized to tie the game at 53-53. Coach Trinchieri had to bring Valanciunas back to stabilize the situation. In the end, Zalgiris won 82-77 thanks to their key players stepping up in the decisive minutes. This result gave them a second straight win, but it also exposed a major issue: roster depth. Without Valanciunas, Zalgiris lacked a reliable scorer near the basket. They relied too heavily on three-point shooting and Williams-Goss' creativity. Over the long EuroLeague season, this could prove fatal. Many will look at the 2-0 record and say Zalgiris is on the right track. But I want to offer a different perspective. Valanciunas' presence, while emotionally and commercially valuable, could create an illusion of strength. When an NBA star is on the floor, young players tend to defer, passing him the ball instead of creating their own opportunities. This stunts their decision-making development under pressure. Moreover, Valanciunas playing only 15-20 minutes means Zalgiris cannot build a sustainable offensive system around him, since he'll leave soon. In reality, this was a friendly, with zero predictive value for the regular season. As I once said: "We see what others don't – but we've also seen things that weren't there." We shouldn't rush to celebrate this win; instead, we should look at the underlying issues. Zalgiris needs to find a way to win without Valanciunas. That's the real puzzle for Coach Trinchieri. This victory says nothing about Zalgiris' EuroLeague ambitions. But it reminds us that basketball is more than numbers. Behind Valanciunas' 14 points and 9 rebounds lies the story of a star returning home, a team searching for a new identity, and young players learning to stand tall when the big man leaves. Can Zalgiris turn these fleeting moments into a foundation for a successful season? Only time will tell. But I believe, as I've often said: "Those who watch the game see the result. Those who read the game see the process. Those who understand the game see both." And I hope Zalgiris will be the team that understands the game best when the real season begins.