New Los Angeles Lakers big man Sandro Mamukelashvili seems to be rounding into form nicely with a few weeks to go before the start of NBA training camps. He has been representing his native country of Georgia in FIBA World Cup qualifier competition over the last handful of days, and he’s continuing to help his team move closer to a spot in the actual tournament next year.
On Monday, Georgia took on Portugal, and while Mamukelashvili shot just 6-of-18 from the field, he did his job well enough by finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists. Georgia trailed by double digits at one point during the game, but it mounted a comeback and prevailed by a final score of 98-90.
Mamukelashvili provided a highlight when he hit a difficult contested 3-pointer to end the second quarter.
Sandro Mamukelashvili flips it up for the WILD three at the buzzer. 🚨#FIBAWC | #TissotBuzzerBeaterpic.twitter.com/x8eXCZQDpR
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 31, 2026
Georgia had previously defeated Montenegro in another qualifying contest on Friday. Mamukelashvili had 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in that game.
The Lakers signed him in early July to a four-year, $52 million contract. He averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 21.9 minutes a game while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range last season while with the Toronto Raptors.
The 27-year-old is expected to get minutes at both the power forward and center positions with Los Angeles, and he could possibly start at the 4, given the lack of options it has at that spot.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Sandro Mamukelashvili leads Georgia past Portugal in FIBA qualifier
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