Splendid first start from Kasparas Jakucionis:

🔥17 PTS
🔥6 REB
🔥4 AST
🔥5-8 3PT

Impacted the game on both ends.

Getting reps/developing with the @SFSkyforce has more than paid off. Love it.

First of many awesome games for the 19-year-old. #HEATNationpic.twitter.com/fVMSYHGDON

— Matt Hanifan (@mph_824_) December 20, 2025

Without several players, Miami Heat rookie Kasparas Jakučionis made his first career start on Friday and earned praise from coach Erik Spoelstra afterward.

Jakučionis finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists in a 129-116 loss to the Boston Celtics on the road at TD Garden. He went 5-of-8 from 3-point range and was a plus-three in 35 minutes, 36 seconds as the Heat dropped to 2-6 in December.

The 20th pick earned the start with the likes of Tyler Herro, Nikola Jović, Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins sidelined. He showcased his outside shot at a high level while serving as a solid initiator on offense, finding open teammates and moving the ball.

“You never when your chance is coming,” Jakučionis said. “Once D-Mitch was out, then I just had to be ready every time they need me. I’m trying to stay ready every time they need me.”

Jakučionis missed the start of the season because of a right groin strain sustained in the preseason. He made just his third appearance of the season against the Celtics and had only totaled nine minutes of action entering the contest.

The 19-year-old has even played eight games in the G League in an effort to log as many minutes as possible after beginning the season out of the rotation. Those assignments prepared him to contribute on Friday, with the team short-handed.

“I really like what he has done in the last two games and what he did in the eight games in the G League,” Spoelstra said. “He gives us the energy, the pace. He is fearless in terms of his playmaking, aggressiveness getting in the paint. He has really improved his 3-point shooting, so that was definitely a bright spot.”

Jakučionis was highly touted out of Illinois thanks to his ability to score at all three levels, playmaking, vision and passing. He was voted as the biggest steal of the draft in the annual survey of general managers released in October.

The Lithuanian guard appears to have earned a larger role for the time being, as the Heat deal with several injuries to key players. He has earned the trust of the coaching staff and his teammates and is looking to contribute in any role asked of him.

“It is like a dream to compete against the best of the best,” Jakučionis said. “When I was little, I used to watch all of the guys competing here. I wanted to be a part of (it) and when I go out there, I’m just trying to give 100% every time.”