9
Jun
Liga Endesa Finals
Patty is making in rain in Spain playoffs
Patty Mills of La Laguna Tenerife acknowledges the crowd after helping his side stun Real Madrid in Game 1 of the Liga Endesa quarter-final series at Movistar Arena on June 2, 2026. The Australian Boomers legend scored 50 points across the final two games of the series as Tenerife advanced to the semi-finals against Barcelona. (Photo by Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Highlights
Patty Mills takes career-best form into Tenerife's semi-final series against Barcelona
- 'FIBA Patty' Mills still torching nets in Europe at 37
- 'FIBA' Patty Mills makes Euro step with Tenerife
- Patty's magical Gregg Popovich moment
Patty Mills has rolled back the clock in Spain and now has Tenerife on the verge of the Liga Endesa championship series to bookend to one of the greatest careers in Australian basketball history.
The 37-year-old former Boomers captain will lead La Laguna Tenerife into Game 1 of the Spanish League semi-finals against Barcelona on Wednesday morning (AEDT) after playing a decisive role in the club's quarter-final upset of powerhouse Real Madrid.
Mills paid tribute to Tenerife basketball fans on Instagram this morning: "What I’ve learned from my time in Tenerife through the Guanche people and Anaga is this: We play for an island built by people who learned how to endure.
"As we continue our playoff journey, there will be moments when the game gets hard.
"That’s who we become."
Mills arrives at the series in blistering form.
After scoring just five points in Tenerife's one-point Game 1 victory in Madrid, the veteran point guard exploded for 21 points in Game 2 before delivering a season-defining performance in the deciding Game 3.
Playing just 19 minutes on the road against Real Madrid, Mills poured in 29 points on 7-from-11 shooting from the field, 3-from-6 from three and a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line as Tenerife sealed a 107-95 victory.
Across the three-game series, Mills averaged 18.3 points while shooting 54.8% from the field, 50% from beyond the arc and 100% from the foul line.
The performance continued a remarkable start to life in Spain since signing with Tenerife in March.
Patty Mills' Liga Endesa Form
Since arriving in the Canary Islands, Mills has quickly become one of the league's most dangerous scorers.
His regular-season highlights included:
- 30 points against Joventut Badalona
- 24 points against Coviran Granada
- 24 points against Unicaja Malaga
- 23 points against UCAM Murcia
- 18 points in a road win against Real Madrid
He finished the regular season averaging:
- 18.6 points
- 0.8 rebounds
- 1.6 assists
- 0.6 steals
Mills has also made an impact in European competition, producing 23 points against Unicaja Malaga and 20 points against Galatasaray in the Basketball Champions League.
Barcelona Challenge Looms
Tenerife's reward for eliminating Real Madrid is a semi-final showdown with Barcelona.
Barcelona advanced after defeating Murcia 2-1 in their quarter-final series and enter the match-up with home-court advantage.
Game 1 will be played in Barcelona before Game 2 remains on the Catalan giants' home floor. The series then shifts to Tenerife for Game 3.
For Mills, the opportunity is significant.
The Australian legend has won an NBA championship, Olympic bronze medal and multiple international honours with the Boomers. A Spanish League title would add another chapter to a career that continues to defy age.
If his form against Real Madrid is any indication, Barcelona will have their hands full containing Australia's greatest international scorer.
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
