Kasparas Jakucionis made a strong impression in his first taste of NBA action.
After missing the Miami Heat’s opening two preseason games due to a sprained left wrist, the young Lithuanian guard returned with confidence, putting up eight points and an impressive 10 assists with just three turnovers in 25 minutes during Miami’s narrow 112–107 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Kaseya Center.
Right from the moment he checked in, Jakucionis showcased the playmaking ability that drew Miami’s attention on draft night. He delivered four assists in his first four minutes on the floor, immediately establishing himself as a facilitator with sharp vision and quick decision-making.
“He has a vision,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said, via the Miami Herald. “I think that led to some of the turnovers probably in college. He’s willing, he’s courageous enough to try to make the play. So he has the vision, and he’s willing to try to make it.”
Jakucionis connected on multiple highlight passes, feeding Keshad Johnson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. for fast-break dunks and finding Kel’el Ware inside and beyond the arc – including an assist on a three-pointer that brought the crowd to its feet.
“Sometimes he just makes that easy play, just gets off it, and that’s what receivers like to get,” Spoelstra added. “You can see a natural connection between him and Kel’el.”
Despite the buzz surrounding his debut, Jakucionis kept things grounded.
“I don’t know. I’m just trying to play fast even though I think we could even play faster today,” he said. “But everything just comes from practice. Try to do my job.”
In attendance for his debut was Goran Dragić – a franchise icon and now a mentor to Jakucionis during training camp, offering guidance both on and off the floor.
“It means a lot to have a mentor like him and to take all the information he has,” Jakucionis explained. “He tells me all the advice, and I’m just trying to listen to him as much as I can, ask him questions. Whenever I have a question, I’ll ask him and just try to take it all in.”
Summing up Dragić’s mentorship, Jakucionis kept it simple: “Just play fast, play smart and use my strengths against others.”
The talented Lithuanian guard, Kasparas Jakucionis, made a strong preseason debut for the Miami Heat with guidance from Goran Dragić #NBA https://t.co/KJ15TdW5JE
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 11, 2025
