Los Angeles Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili delivered a 22-point performance for Georgia in a 98-90 FIBA World Cup qualifying win over Portugal, providing a positive sign for the franchise. The Lakers, who recently lost 110-115 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 12, 2026, and are in a 1W-4L slump, need all the encouraging developments they can get as training camp approaches.
Mamukelashvili's buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the first half sparked a decisive 10-0 run. He played nearly the entire game, logging 22 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals despite shooting 6-for-18 from the field. Alongside former NBA player Tornike Shengaila, who combined with him for 48 points, Mamukelashvili helped Georgia improve to a 5-3 record, tying Spain for second place in their group. The top three teams from each group advance to the World Cup.
Why does Mamukelashvili's form matter for the Los Angeles Lakers?
His summer production is a direct boost for a Lakers team searching for reliable contributors. Over two World Cup qualifiers, Mamukelashvili has tallied 39 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals. This follows a busy offseason that included participating in Luka Doncic's minicamp in Slovenia and scoring 20 points in a friendly against Israel.
The Lakers signed the 27-year-old big man to a four-year, $52 million contract in early July. Many analysts considered it a significant investment for a career reserve. Last season with the Toronto Raptors, he averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game. His growing confidence in international play, where he averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds at EuroBasket 2025, suggests he might be ready for a larger NBA role. You can track the team's roster construction on our [squad](/squad) page.
What is the Lakers' power forward situation?
The team's offseason moves left the starting power forward spot uncertain. While Mamukelashvili is most comfortable as a reserve, having started only 28 of his 271 NBA games, the Lakers failed to acquire a proven starter. This opens the door for him to compete for the role when camp begins.
Asked about potentially starting last month, Mamukelashvili pointed to his maturity. "I don't know how it is all going to play out," he said, "but I just think throughout my five years in the league, I have matured enough." His focus remains on being coachable and understanding his spots within head coach JJ Redick's system, which is still being implemented.
What comes next for the Lakers and Mamu?
All eyes will be on training camp to see if Mamukelashvili can translate his summer momentum to the NBA. The Lakers' recent form, losing four of their last five games, underscores the need for immediate contributions from every player on the roster. His ability to stretch the floor as a big man who can shoot the three is a valuable skill set.
However, questions about his defensive impact remain. The Lakers will need him to hold his own on that end if his minutes increase. For now, his performances for Georgia are a promising development. The team hopes his scoring touch and playmaking from the forward spot can help address some of the issues seen during their difficult 1-4 stretch. Fans can follow the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page as the new season draws closer.
