Lietkabelis led most of the way after that, but Cluj rallied to take a 68-69 lead with 7 minutes remaining. That's when Sakic brought out his best version again. His running triple was the highlight of a 10-0 run that put Lietkabelis ahead for good. When Cluj got within striking distance, 87-84, in the final seconds, Sakic sealed the outcome with a layup that fixed the final score. He finished the game with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a PIR of 19.
Even most European basketball experts were surprised to find out that this is Sakic's first EuroCup season. At age 34, Sakic has played for 13 different teams, including seven that took part in the EuroCup at some point: Cluj, Cibona Zagreb, UNICS Kazan, Lukoil Academic, Stelmet Zielona Gora, Avtodor Saratov and Lietkabelis, in his first stint with the team in the 2019-20 season. However, at the time that Sakic played for these seven teams, they were not in the EuroCup.
Good things come to those who wait and Sakic is finally enjoying in the EuroCup, averaging 14.3 points on 50.0% three-point shooting, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a PIR of 13.3 so far this season. He has scored 13 points or better in his three games played.
Lietkabelis comes off its best season ever in which it reached the EuroCup elimination rounds with a 9-7 regular season record and made it to the Lithuanian League finals after it defeated mighty Zalgiris Kaunas in the semifinals. Sakic is fully aware of his team's great moment and wants to lead Lietkabelis to an even more successful season.
"We managed to play our game and I am so happy for this group of guys and staff," Sakic said. "Maybe we are some small team but we have managed to do some big, big things."
Lietkabelis has new opportunities to carry on growing after the break, facing Umana Reyer Venice in Italy before returning home for back-to-back showdowns against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Germani Brescia. On paper, Sakic is a EuroCup newcomer, but this well-rounded forward is ready to keep leading his team in crunch time.
