Neptunas Klaipeda Snaps Losing Streak with Thrilling 98-94 Victory Over Hamburg

Lomazs Leads Lithuanian Charge in Hamburg

Neptunas Klaipeda finally broke their dismal run of form with a hard-fought 98-94 road victory against Veolia Towers Hamburg in Round 13 of EuroCup action on January 7th, 2026. In front of 1,201 spectators in Hamburg, the Lithuanian side ended their seven-game losing streak with an inspired performance led by the sensational Rihards Lomazs, who delivered a masterclass with 33 points.

The victory was particularly sweet for Neptunas, who had endured a torturous stretch that saw them suffer consecutive defeats across multiple competitions. Their most recent humiliation came just a week earlier when they were thrashed 103-118 at home by Umana Reyer Venice. Meanwhile, Hamburg arrived at this contest desperately seeking to reverse their own fortunes after dropping their last three contests, including heavy losses to Umana Reyer Venice and U-BT Cluj-Napoca.

First Half Sets the Tone

From the opening tip, both teams engaged in an offensive shootout that would set the tone for the entire evening. The first quarter saw Neptunas edge ahead 25-24, with Lomazs already making his presence felt. The Latvian guard displayed remarkable efficiency from the charity stripe and demonstrated his scoring versatility with a combination of drives to the basket and perimeter shooting that kept Hamburg's defense constantly off-balance.

The second quarter continued in similar fashion, with both sides trading baskets in what became an entertaining back-and-forth affair. Neptunas maintained their slim advantage, taking a 48-47 lead into halftime. Ross Williams emerged as Hamburg's primary offensive weapon off the bench, showcasing his scoring prowess with an impressive array of shots that kept the home team within striking distance. The American guard finished the game with a remarkable 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting, including 5-of-12 from beyond the arc and a perfect 8-for-8 on two-point attempts.

Neptunas Extends Lead in Third Quarter

The third quarter proved crucial as Neptunas began to assert more control over the proceedings. Outscoring Hamburg 24-21 in the period, the visitors built their largest lead of the game. Aurimas Majauskas provided invaluable support with his all-around play, finishing with a double-digit rebounding performance that included nine defensive boards. His physical presence in the paint and ability to clean the glass gave Neptunas crucial second-chance opportunities and prevented Hamburg from gaining momentum on their home floor.

Arnas Velicka also stepped up during this critical stretch, contributing 11 points along with solid playmaking that helped maintain offensive flow for the Lithuanian side. His plus-8 rating reflected his positive impact on both ends of the floor, as he combined 4 assists with 2 steals while helping to control the tempo of the game.

Hamburg's Fourth Quarter Push Falls Short

The final quarter saw Hamburg mount a desperate comeback attempt, outscoring Neptunas 29-26 in their best offensive period of the night. Zacharie Perrin was particularly effective for the German side, finishing with 16 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting from the field and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. The French big man's efficiency rating of 21 highlighted his impact during his 21 minutes on court, but it ultimately wasn't enough to overcome Neptunas' balanced attack.

Martin Breunig provided solid contributions for Hamburg with 12 points on perfect 5-of-5 shooting from two-point range, while Leonard Thorpe added 14 points and 4 assists. However, Hamburg's starting lineup struggled collectively, with several players posting negative plus-minus ratings that told the story of a team unable to find the defensive stops necessary to complete their comeback.

Bench Production Proves Decisive

One of the key differences in this contest was the production Neptunas received from their bench unit. Zane Waterman provided a significant spark with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting performance, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor and knock down perimeter shots gave Hamburg's defense additional problems to solve and prevented them from collapsing entirely on Lomazs.

Harrison Cleary also made important contributions off the bench, scoring 16 points and hitting clutch free throws down the stretch. His perfect 6-of-6 performance from the charity stripe helped seal the victory when Hamburg was making their final push. The American guard's ability to create his own shot and get to the free-throw line proved invaluable in the closing minutes.

For Hamburg, Williams' heroic effort off the bench represented their primary source of offense, but the supporting cast couldn't provide enough consistent scoring. Benedikt Turudic added 5 points and 5 rebounds, while Niklas Wimberg contributed valuable minutes with his defensive presence, recording a block and a steal despite failing to score.

Statistical Breakdown and Key Performances

The statistical ledger revealed a closely contested battle throughout. Lomazs' efficiency rating of 36 stood as the game's highest, reflecting his dominant all-around performance that included not just his 33 points but also 6 assists and a steal. His 12-of-12 performance from the free-throw line was particularly impressive, demonstrating his composure under pressure and ability to capitalize when Hamburg was forced to foul.

Majauskas' double-digit rebounding effort (10 total rebounds with 9 defensive boards) gave Neptunas a significant advantage on the glass. His plus-14 rating was the highest among all players in the game, underlining his importance to the victory. The Lithuanian forward's ability to protect the defensive glass and prevent second-chance opportunities for Hamburg proved crucial in maintaining Neptunas' lead during critical stretches.

Arnas Berucka played over 30 minutes for Neptunas and contributed in multiple ways with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. While his scoring output was modest, his defensive activity and playmaking helped keep Hamburg's offense in check during important possessions.

Defensive Struggles Continue for Hamburg

For Hamburg, the loss extended their recent struggles and raised questions about their defensive identity. Allowing 98 points on their home court represented another disappointing performance for a team that has now lost eight consecutive games dating back through various competitions. The inability to contain Lomazs and prevent Neptunas' supporting cast from finding easy scoring opportunities highlighted ongoing defensive issues that head coach will need to address.

Devon Daniels IV struggled in the starting lineup, managing just 5 points on 2-of-7 shooting with 3 turnovers and a minus-7 rating. His inefficiency typified Hamburg's problems in the starting unit, where only Breunig shot above 50 percent from the field. Kenneth Ogbe finished with 8 points but needed 9 shots to get there, highlighting the overall shooting struggles that plagued Hamburg's starters.

Looking Ahead

This victory provides Neptunas with a much-needed confidence boost as they look to build momentum in the second half of the EuroCup campaign. Snapping a seven-game losing streak, particularly on the road, represents a significant psychological milestone for a team that had seen their season threatening to unravel completely. The balanced scoring attack and contributions from both starters and reserves suggest that Neptunas may have found a winning formula they can replicate moving forward.

For Hamburg, the loss compounds their misery and leaves them searching for answers. Despite Williams' spectacular individual performance and solid contributions from Perrin and others, the collective defensive effort simply wasn't good enough to secure victory on home court. With their losing streak now extended, Hamburg will need to quickly regroup and rediscover the form that saw them defeat quality opponents earlier in the season.

The 98-94 final score accurately reflected a competitive contest that was in doubt until the final minutes. While Hamburg can take some solace in their fourth-quarter fight, ultimately Neptunas' more balanced attack and timely contributions across their roster proved to be the difference in a game that both teams desperately needed to win.