Lithuanian point guard Rokas Jokubaitis will miss the rest of the EuroBasket tournament and a significant portion of the 2025/26 season after sustaining a significant left knee injury during Monday’s victory over Finland, according to an announcement from Bayern Munich, his EuroLeague team.
The press release issued by Bayern Munich refers to it as a “severe ligament injury” for Jokubaitis, who will undergo surgery and will be out for at least the next six months. While Bayern’s announcement doesn’t provide specific details on the diagnosis, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com hears that Jokubaitis’ ACL and meniscus are affected.
“Injuries are unfortunately part of sports, but this one is, of course, devastating for Rokas,” Bayern sports director Dragan Tarlac said in a statement. “We have enjoyed watching Rokas so much at EuroBasket – he has been outstanding and has led his team as a true leader. But we have no doubt that with his spirit and fighting mentality, he will come back stronger from this. We’re waiting for him and will now support him in every possible way so that he can return to the court next year.”
Jokubaitis’ injury occurred during the fourth quarter of Monday’s game. He was driving to the basket when his left leg buckled awkwardly, causing him to fall to the floor (Twitter video link). He immediately checked himself out of the game and limped to the bench, where he was treated by the team’s training staff.
Jokubaitis, the 34th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, was sent to the Knicks in a draft-night deal along with Miles McBride, but has yet to sign his first NBA contract. The 24-year-old has remained overseas in recent years, first with FC Barcelona and then last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He officially signed a three-year contract with Bayern Munich last month; the Knicks continue to hold his NBA rights.
Although his fourth game was cut short, Jokubaitis put up excellent numbers for Lithuania at EuroBasket, averaging a team-high 17.3 points, 8.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in just 24.2 minutes per contest. He shot from 49.1% from the field, including 55.6% from beyond the three-point line.
Lithuania went 3-1 in those four games and has clinched a spot in the round of 16.
Anybody got any info on why he hasn’t come to the NBA yet? He seems super talented. I know the Knicks don’t have room for him, but why wouldn’t another team after him in a trade or something? I wonder if he just doesn’t want to come over?
He gets paid more in Europe than he would on an initial contract in the NBA, and he’s a starter there. After a strong tournament and a good euro season, he may have considered it after this season, if it wasn’t for this injury. Bad luck for him. Now he’ll be staying at Bayern at least through next season, and probably in Europe through the next Olympics.
He’s still young, though (25 in November). Goran Dragic didn’t come to the NBA until he was 26/27, so if he can rehab and get back to the way he’s been playing at this tournament, the door is definitely not closed.
Dragic was 22 when he started playing in the NBA…
He’s said he would only come over if a team promised him rotation minutes.