What Happened After Kristaps Porzingis’ Game vs Lithuania? Police Intervene Amid Security Concern in EuroBasket

EuroBasket 2025’s Round of 16 wasn’t short of drama, both on and off the court. The matchup everyone anticipated, Kristaps Porzingis versus Lithuania, delivered fierce competition, national pride, and unforgettable performances. But just before the game, chaos rippled through Riga’s streets as police closed a road near Xiaomi Arena for a suspicious item inspection. For a few tense moments, fans and media alike wondered if the worst had happened. Thankfully, it was nothing more than a routine check, a precautionary move that ended safely without incident.

Meanwhile, on the hardwood, Latvia’s star Kristaps Porzingis put forth a heroic effort in his first EuroBasket appearance since 2017. Scoring 34 points and pulling down 19 rebounds, he battled not just Lithuania’s defense but also his own lingering health issues from last season. Despite Latvia’s 88-79 loss, Porzingis stood tall, reminding everyone why he remains one of the most influential players in European basketball.

Security inspections like the one near Riga’s Xiaomi Arena have become common at major sporting events worldwide. While alarming at first glance, such checks are standard, embedded into risk assessments by agencies like INTERPOL and UNICRI. After events like the 2005 London bombings and the 2015 Paris attacks, venues hosting tens of thousands now routinely prepare for threats like explosives or chemical hazards.

During EuroBasket 2025, police routinely monitored streets, public areas, and fan zones near arenas. Though suspicious item checks are statistically rare, accounting for only about 1% of incidents at European sporting events between 2019 and 2020, they are conducted more frequently than reported. For instance, Olympic analyses show that venues with crowds over 10,000 may experience between one and five such inspections per tournament.

In Riga’s case, police closed the nearby street just before tip-off, briefly evacuating parts of the media center. After thorough inspection, they confirmed that there was no danger. Still, the event underscored how seriously authorities approach security in today’s environment, especially when a high-profile star like Kristaps Porzingis is involved.

On the court, Kristaps Porzingis gave everything he had. Battling through the pain of last season’s health setbacks, he delivered one of the tournament’s finest performances. Averaging around 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds across six games, Porzingis demonstrated both resilience and dominance. His career-high 34 points and 19 rebounds against Lithuania was a statement game, a reminder of what he’s capable of when fully locked in.

Porzingis’s journey hasn’t been smooth. His 2017 EuroBasket debut was promising but followed by seasons hampered by injuries. Yet, he embraced the challenge this time around, using the tournament as preparation for the NBA season ahead. “It hurts, but we have to live with this and use it as fuel for the future,” he reflected after the game, a sentiment echoing his determination.

His stellar showing wasn’t just a flash of brilliance. In the group stage, Porzingis led Latvia to a 4-1 record, excelling in efficiency with a 54.4% effective field goal percentage. Against Estonia and Portugal, he showed glimpses of peak form, scoring 26 and 21 points, respectively, while stretching defenses with deep shots, even if his three-point accuracy wavered in some games.

A Game of Two Halves: Porzingis’s Early Promise Fades

The “Baltic Derby” started with Latvia’s offense clicking. Early leads and Porzingis’s aggressive post play made it seem like they’d cruise to the quarterfinals. But Lithuania’s defense tightened in the second half, holding Latvia to just 79 points by the final buzzer.

Despite being the team’s lone star, Porzingis refused to back down. He grabbed rebounds at both ends, anchored the defense with two blocks, and kept Latvia within striking distance late into the game. Unfortunately, the rest of the team couldn’t match Lithuania’s balanced attack. Latvia’s promising group-stage run came to an end, but Porzingis’s individual effort left fans and analysts praising his performance.

Though heartbroken by the loss, Kristaps Porzingis remains optimistic. His experience, he believes, will help him enter the NBA season stronger than ever. “This will keep me in shape and ready,” he said confidently after the game. His focus now shifts toward recovery and preparation, with an eye on sustaining peak performance for Atlanta Hawks fans and the larger NBA stage.

Interestingly, Porzingis didn’t hold back when asked about Lithuania’s chances of winning the tournament. “Why not, Lithuania? Anything can happen,” he quipped with a smile, a nod to the unpredictability that defines international basketball.

While the police inspection near Xiaomi Arena may have only been a precaution, it highlights how seriously authorities treat safety at major events. With threats evolving and stadiums filled with passionate fans, preventive measures like street closures and suspicious item checks are here to stay.

For EuroBasket 2025, it was the first documented inspection of its kind, even if such actions go largely unnoticed unless they disrupt the atmosphere. Thankfully, this was a scare that passed quickly, leaving fans to focus on what really mattered: the players, especially Kristaps Porzingis, battling it out for national pride.

Latvia’s campaign may have ended, but Porzingis’s influence is far from over. His leadership, efficiency, and resilience are sure to fuel both his NBA aspirations and the team’s rebuilding efforts.

What do you think, can Kristaps Porzingis turn this heartbreak into fuel for a stronger comeback next season, or has age and injury already caught up with him? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!