2023–24 King Mindaugas Cup Explained

Karaliaus Mindaugo taurė
Year:2023–2024
Country:Lithuania
City:Kaunas
Venues:Žalgiris Arena
Dates:10 October 2023 – 18 February 2024
Num Teams:13
Defending Champions:Žalgiris
Winners:Žalgiris (7th title)
Second:7Bet–Lietkabelis
Third:Rytas
Award Title:MVP
Award: Laurynas Birutis
Prev Season:2022–23

The 2023–2024 King Mindaugas Cup, also known as Citadele Karaliaus Mindaugo taurė for sponsorship purposes, was the ninth edition of the Lithuanian King Mindaugas Cup. Žalgiris successfully defended the title for the 4th time in a row after defeating 7Bet–Lietkabelis in the final 86–70.

Format

All 12 teams from 2023–24 LKL season and one wildcard team from 2023–24 NKL season participated in this tournament. Five teams that participated in Euroleague Basketball and FIBA tournaments, have received bye's to quarterfinals stage, while the remaining teams were drawn into two groups, with the group winners advancing straight to the Quarterfinals, while second-placed teams faced off each other for the final Quarterfinals spot.[1] [2]

Group stage

Group B

Eightfinal

Second ranked teams from each group faced-off each other in a home-and-away format, with the overall cumulative score determining the winner of a match. The winner earned the last quarterfinals spot.

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Quarterfinals

Five teams have received byes to the Quarterfinals stage due to participating in FIBA and Euroleague Basketball competitions. Those teams are:

All qualified teams will be drawn into pairs, where they will face-off each other in a home-and-away format, with the overall cumulative score determining the winner of a match. The winners of each pair would then qualify for the Final four.|}

Final four

The final four was hosted by the Žalgiris Arena in Kaunas on 17–18 February 2024.

Semifinals

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Third place

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Final


Three-Point contest

Player !! width=175
Team !Height (m) Weight (kg) First round Second round Final round
G Sean McNeil Nevėžis–Optibet 1.90 95 19 19 16
G/F1.93 88 18
G1.92 90 18
G1.85 87 18
G1.93 95 22 18
G1.96 86 13
G2.01 90 18
G1.87 81 11
G Rasheed Sulaimon Wolves 1.94 93 19 20 16
G/F1.99 93 12
F/C2.06 105 22 17
G Edvinas Paulauskas 1.90 80 15
G1.93 89 14
Lukas Uleckas was selected as Arnas Velička replacement.[3]
After the contest, it was noted that Rasheed Sulaimon scored only 16 points instead of 18 points and the series should have been tied. The LKL presented a prize of the same value to Sean McNeil and the contest title is shared between these two players.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Patvirtinti galimi Citadele KMT formatai, pirmojo etapo burtų ceremonija – sekmadienį . lkl.lt. 26 September 2023 . 13 October 2023 . lt.
  2. Web site: Paaiškėjo KMT grupės ir tvarkaraštis . 15min.lt. 5 October 2023 . 25 October 2023 . lt.
  3. Web site: Rokiruotė „Ryto“ stovykloje „Snaiperio“ konkursui – komandai atstovaus Uleckas . basketnews.lt . 18 February 2024 . 17 February 2024. lt-LT.
  4. Web site: "Betsafe Casino" snaiperio konkurse – dviejų žaidėjų triumfas . lkl.lt . 18 February 2024 . 3 June 2024 . lt-LT.