Lakers' Georgian Forward Erupts for 20 Points Against Israel, Team Media Praises: 'Hit a G

　　Los Angeles Lakers' new forward, Georgian star Sandro Mamukelashvili, recently shined on the international stage after leaving the team's mini-camp in Slovenia. Playing for the Georgian national team in a warm-up game, Mamukelashvili put up an all-around stat line, leading his team to a comeback victory over Israel. The impressive performance prompted Lakers-specific media to exclaim: "The Lakers really hit a gold mine!"

　　Scored 20 Points, Filled the Stat Sheet, Teamed with NBA Big Man for Comeback

　　To prepare for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Mamukelashvili left the Lakers' training camp in Slovenia, organized by Luka Doncic, earlier to report to the Georgian national team.

　　In the warm-up against Israel, Georgia overcame a double-digit deficit in the first quarter. Mamukelashvili showcased his versatile inside-outside game, scoring 20 points along with 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. He teamed up with Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (who scored a game-high 22 points) and veteran Tornike Shengelia (17 points, 9 rebounds) to dominate the paint. In a crucial stretch, they sparked an 8-0 run, ultimately helping Georgia secure a 101-90 victory.

　　Lakers Media Praises, A Two-Way Matchup Nightmare

　　Mamukelashvili's all-around ability immediately drew attention from Los Angeles media and fans. The Lakers-specific outlet LakeShowCP posted on social media, praising the signing: "The Lakers might have really hit a gold mine with Mamukelashvili! 20 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals in a game. He has outside shooting, playmaking, finishing at the rim, and defensive ability. If Mamukelashvili can bring this kind of performance back to Los Angeles, the Lakers will be a big problem for other teams!"

　　World Cup Ticket on the Line, Will Return to US After Qualifiers

　　Although this was just a warm-up, the next two qualifiers are crucial for Georgia. The team currently sits at 3-3 in Group of the second round of qualifying, tied with Greece and Portugal at the bottom.

　　They will face Montenegro this Friday and then take on Greece (without Giannis Antetokounmpo) next Monday, fighting for a top-three finish in the group to secure a World Cup berth. After the upcoming FIBA international window, Mamukelashvili and other NBA players will return to the US to focus on their respective team's NBA preseason.