Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis, center, is challenged by Spain’s Willy Hernangomez, left, during the Eurobasket Round of 16 basketball match between Spain and Lithuania in Berlin, Germany on Saturday September 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
PA
Kings center Domantas Sabonis can turn his attention to the next NBA season after retiring from international competition on Saturday.
Sabonis had another solid performance, but Lithuania was knocked out of EuroBasket 2022 with a 102-94 overtime loss to Spain in Berlin, Germany. The two-time NBA All-Star will return to the United States for the start of training camp Sept. 27 in Sacramento.
Sabonis helped Lithuania survive group play to reach the knockout stages in Berlin, but Spain ensured they would go no further, capitalizing on costly turnovers to win in extra time. Lorenzo Brown had 28 points and eight assists for Spain. Willy Hernangomez had 21 points and eight rebounds.
Lithuania were led by Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who scored a team-high 18 points. Ignas Brazdeikis scored 17 points, but he committed an untimely turnover and an unsportsmanlike foul in the final moments.
Sabonis finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. He made 6 of 8 field goal attempts and recorded a team-best 34 minutes with foul-ridden Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas was held to five points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.
Sabonis averaged 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 56% from the field in six games for Lithuania.
This story was originally published September 10, 2022 4:14 p.m.