Jan. 16, 2026, 3:46 p.m. ET

Without Davion Mitchell in the lineup, rookie Kasparas Jakučionis was thrust into a larger role, helping the Miami Heat in a home loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Jakučionis finished with 12 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the 119-114 loss at the Kaseya Center. He went 3-of-4 from 3-point range in 27 minutes, 21 seconds off the bench as the Heat (21-20) lost for the fifth time in seven games.

The 20th pick played in control on offense, setting up his teammates and stepping confidently into his shots. He accounted for eight points in the fourth quarter alone, leading the team in the period before running out of gas in the closing minutes.

“That was one of the bright spots, for sure,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Jakučionis. “He has been ready basically every time he has been given an opportunity. He keeps on getting better and gives us something a little bit different, particularly without D-Mitch out there. He can make some plays and is fearless.”

Jakučionis has played sporadically this season for the Heat, averaging 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 15 appearances. He started the last time the Heat faced the Celtics on Dec. 19, recording 17 points, six rebounds and four assists in a loss.

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The 20-year-old has mostly been out of the rotation, with several established players ahead of him on the depth chart. His outing on Thursday was just the fourth time he has logged more than 20 minutes in a game, and his second with at least 10 points.

Jakučionis was highly touted out of Illinois thanks to his scoring, playmaking, vision and passing. He has displayed those traits in a limited role and is staying ready to contribute each time his number is called by Spoelstra and the coaching staff.

“I have to stay ready always and whenever I get the chance, I just try to embrace it,” Jakučionis said. “Outside of that, I just try to be ready, work out and watch film and be mentally ready. … I think we have crazy, talented guys that I never played with in my life that type of player. I’m just happy to be there and try to help them get in their spots and make plays for them.”