Lithuania stunned the basketball world on Sunday with its 110–104 win over Team USA in the FIBA World Cup and added some insult to injury after the game.
While celebrating with his teammates in the locker room, Lithuanian guard Vaidas Kariniauskas appeared to be rocking a Team USA cap to poke some fun at the Americans. The loss didn’t knock out Team USA since it was the last matchup in the group stage, but there will certainly be some bad blood if these two squads match up again.
Kariniauskas also went viral during the game for taunting Austin Reaves by sticking his tongue out at the Lakers guard.
Vaidas Kariniauskas wearing a Team USA cap after serving them an L. 🧢🥶#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/esbKTv8NNG
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 3, 2023
Vaidas Kariniauskas was acting tough against Austin Reaves 😮💨
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 3, 2023
(📸 @FIBA) pic.twitter.com/EhAhxcoBvp
While talking to reporters, he addressed the trash talk and said Reaves’s brother instructed him to give him a hard time.
“Nothing personal just love for the game,” Kariniauskas said. “I played with his [Reaves] brother last year so I talked with him before the game. He said give him the trash talk.”
FIBA WATCH: Vaidas Kariniauskas says the trash talk between himself and USA’s Austin Reaves was pre planned, “nothing personal, just love for the game.” @mbsportsonline @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/SJLCSQzJV5
— Nikole Javier (@nikolejavier) September 3, 2023
The 29-year-old scored 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting in his team’s win and also tallied five boards and three assists on the way there. Team USA is now set to face Italy on Tuesday in the knockout round.
