The 36-year-old enjoyed a special night, which involved a pre-game ceremony and another playoff win
Sergio Llull's double celebration
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It was a special night for Real Madrid guard Sergio Llull. The veteran was honored before Game 2 of his team's playoff series against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, then played a significant role in helping his team to record a 101-90 victory to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
In Game 1, Llull became the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's all-time leader in made three-pointers, moving past former FC Barcelona great Juan Carlos Navarro. Of course, that fact did not go unnoticed and Real honored him in a pre-game ceremony, which saw club president Florentino Perez hand him a special jersey with number 624 (the number of three-pointers he'd made before Game 2). A commemorative video was shown on the scoreboard, too.
"It was amazing. I have no words," Llull said after the game. "I feel the love of the people and I think they love the way I play, always giving 100%, so I am really happy. Two or three months ago, everybody was [already] talking about that record and I am really happy to get it, really proud. But the important thing is the team."
Focused on the job at hand
Once the game started, Llull made sure he did everything in his power to help Real stay 100% in the series.
Llull buried his 625th three-pointer in the competition right at the end of the first quarter, beating the buzzer to give Real a 23-21 edge. Llull went on to hit two more shots from downtown to help Real make it a double-digit game for the first time, 37-27.
"We were focused from the beginning, trying to control Baskonia's strong points, and then on offense playing as a team, moving the ball well," Llull added, before stressing that health has been one of Real's biggest advantages so far in the postseason.
"I believe the team is feeling well. We are healthy, which is important at this time of the season. The team knows that the important moment of the season has arrived and this is when we have to give 100%, when we have to play well and win games."
In just over 17 minutes, Llull had 13 points on 2-of-3 two-pointers and 3-of-5 three-pointers, adding 2 rebounds and 3 assists for a PIR of 14.
"I am feeling well, physically well, which is important for me to give the team all I can offer."
Llull faces another challenge next week: becoming the second-ever player to reach 10 Final Fours since the format was chosen in 1988. Victor Khryapa holds the record with 12 Final Four appearances. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens playmaker Kostas Sloukas can also reach his 10th Final Four in this postseason.
Above all, Llull knows that the job is far from finished. Real needs three more victories to successfully defend its EuroLeague title for the first time since 1968.
"I want the big trophy," Llull stated. "So I just can't play without thinking about nothing else."