Helmanis's Boca Juniors squander lead, will face Vilnius Rytas in semifinal

Latvian basketball player Kristers Helmanis and Argentine club Boca Juniors suffered a defeat against the NBA G League united team on the tournament's group-stage fourth day, losing 74:79. The result decided the final standings in Group B, as a win would have allowed Boca Juniors to avoid facing Vilnius Rytas in the semifinal.

Boca Juniors started the game strongly, leading by five points after the first ten minutes. Helmanis entered the game two minutes before the end of the first quarter and scored six points on his first stint, helping his team stretch the lead to nine points. Late in the first half, Argentine center Francisco Caforio suffered ankle and shoulder injuries, prompting Helmanis to return to the court as his replacement. The first half ended with Boca Juniors leading 43:36.

In the second half, the G League team gradually closed the gap and tied the score at 62:62 with a minute and a half remaining in the fourth quarter. The final two minutes saw the lead change hands repeatedly — Eric Dixon put the American team ahead with a mid-range shot, and after Caforio missed a close-range attempt, Dixon converted free throws. Helmanis's attempt to save the game with a three-pointer was blocked, and Boca Juniors lost 74:79.

Helmanis, who played 19 minutes, scored eight points, grabbed seven rebounds, recorded one assist and one block. Boca Juniors' top scorer was Michael Warner with 15 points, while Eric Dixon led the winning side with 17 points and eight rebounds. In the group stage's final game, Vilnius Rytas defeated Shanghai Sharks 107:66, securing their semifinal spot against Boca Juniors.