In an overtime thriller, the two veterans played hugely important roles to potentially kick-start a late push towards the playoffs.
Lucic, Ibaka helped Bayern catch 'the last train'
It was a thrilling, dramatic and a highly entertaining night, and once the final overtime buzzer sounded, FC Bayern Munich had something to celebrate. Pablo Laso's side edged out Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 112-109 on Tuesday in a 45-minute affair, which came down to the final shot – twice. First at the end of regulation, then also in overtime.
At the end of the fourth quarter, Baskonia's Codi Miller-McIntyre made a three-pointer with 3.5 seconds left to force an overtime period. Later, in the final seconds of the extra session, Vanja Marinkovic missed a three-pointer to tie as Bayern prevailed.
"We got a big victory," Coach Laso said after the game. "We knew how tough it is to beat Baskonia. But we did not know it would be this tough."
Regardless how it transpired, the victory was a much-needed one.
Bayern has had its share of let-downs so far this season; games and performances it would certainly like to have back. One of them came just last week when it lost by double digits on its home floor against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.
A victory that could spark a run
But last night's win, as the regular season has entered the home straight, might act as the start of Bayern's playoff push.
"This was maybe a do-or-die game if we want to catch the last train for play-in tournament," noted team captain Vladimir Lucic.
Lucic and fellow 34-year-old Serge Ibaka were the only two Bayern players who spent more than 30 minutes on the floor, and they were the main driving forces that allowed Bayern to win the game and improve to a 10-14 record on the season.
"The veterans know what's up," Coach Laso stressed. "Both gave us a lot of effort. Serge finished with cramp in his legs, but he gave us all the energy [he had]. Lucic helped us a lot. He knows the game, he understands it. He had a great effort."
After missing two of Bayern's last three games, Ibaka got Bayern going with 9 first-quarter points. He finished with 21 points and 7 rebounds, playing 31:38 minutes.
"It is good to be back on the court with my guys. Being able to play tonight, to help my team, is big time," Ibaka commented. "We deserved [this victory]. They were coming at us, but we were ready to respond."
Lucic scored 17 in an all-round effort that was reminiscent of his best days, having made 3-of-5 two-pointers and both of his three-point shots, while collecting 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. All in 34 minutes and 8 seconds on the floor.
For Lucic, who missed the first 14 games this season and 17 last season, it is the most minutes he played since Round 17 of the 2021-22 campaign, which was a home game against... Baskonia.
Earlier this season, when Lucic was still recovering from an elbow injury, Laso told the media: "He is a player we really need and expect a lot from."
Laso finally got that from Lucic, who is the team captain and an unquestionable leader. Now, though, he is proving that he is back to his best and performing at a level that earned him All-EuroLeague honors less than three years ago.
"[There is] no time for practicing, so I am using the games at the highest level to get back in shape physically and basketball-wise," Lucic explained. "Using the games to come back and help my team."
A late playoff push
On Tuesday night, he not only helped but led the team to a win and a sweep against an opponent which could easily turn out to be Bayern's direct rival for a spot in the Play-In Showdown.
Now comes the daunting task of doing it all over again in a very short time-span, something Coach Laso is also very well aware of.
"Let's see how they are 48 hours from now," Laso added about his two veteran stars, as Bayern hosts Olympiacos Piraeus on Thursday night in a game where a victory would firmly put Bayern in the playoff conversation.
And in a hunt which can be argued, started against Baskonia.