Latvia finished the Group Phase at EuroBasket in style. Enjoying the comforts of home and playing in front of a raucous crowd at Arena Riga, they blew by Czechia, 109-75. That matches their highest-scoring output in a game in this tournament's history.
The first time Latvia generated 109 points at EuroBasket, the outcome was more somber. It occurred in an overtime loss to Spain in 2005. They haven't reached triple-digits since 2017. That came in a 100-68 win against Montenegro.
Latvia's highest margin of victory occurred in 1939 when it beat Finland 108-7. While their dominant display didn't reach that level on Wednesday, the host country for Group A delivered a clinic.
Kristaps Porzingis is heating up at the right time
The star of Latvia's victory vs. Czechia was Davis Bertans. He produced 20 points, matching his brother, Dairis, for a game-high. The former did so with machine-like precision. He knocked down seven of the 12 shots he attempted. He made 3/6 tries from beyond the arc. Bertans also snagged six rebounds in the win.
Kristaps Porzingis also had a strong showing. The seven-foot-two center registered 16 points on 6/10 shooting. He made all five threes he hoisted. He also pulled down seven rebounds, dished out three assists, and swatted two shots.
Life is easier when your 2.18cm center can do this 😂#EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/a4loCrbMf2
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 3, 2025
Porzingis started EuroBasket 0/13 from three-point range. In Latvia's first game in the Group Phase, foul trouble kept him from finding a rhythm. He finished with 10 points on 12 shots and missed all five of his attempts from behind the arc. He also had six turnovers in that 93-73 loss to Turkey.
Everything changed in a battle against Neemias Queta and Portugal. In a matchup pitting the Boston Celtics' former starting center against his expected replacement, Porzingis came out firing. He buried a trio of shots from three-point range in the opening quarter.
While much of his damage occurred with Queta on the bench due to foul trouble, the former NBA All-Star registered 21 points and nine rebounds, which were game-highs. He also had two blocks in the 78-62 victory.
When asked after Latvia's win over Czechia if his team is also getting better as the tournament progresses, per FIBA EuroBasket's official site, Porzingis responded, "I would say so. I think we didn't look so good in the first, we started to look better in the second, third, fourth... The trajectory is going in the right direction."
Now Porzingis and Latvia enter the Knockout Round. Joining them there, for the first time in the country's history, is Portugal. As EuroBasket shifts to an elimination format, the tournament's tilts will take place in Riga. That's a welcome advantage for Latvia. They will also host the semifinals and finals.