Luka Dončić grew to become the fourth participant to document a triple-double in FIBA EuroBasket historical past, tallying 26 factors, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in Slovenia’s 86-69 win over Belgium in the worldwide event on Sunday.
Dončić’s efficiency was particularly pressing for Slovenia, which confronted being eradicated from the event after shedding its first two video games together with Saturday’s 103-95 defeat to France. That loss occurred regardless of Dončić scoring 39 factors and practically notching a triple-double with 8 rebounds and eight assists.
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However, France has 4 NBA gamers on its roster in Zacchaire Risacher, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Guerschon Yabusele, whereas Dončić is the one NBA star on Slovenia’s roster.
Slovenia profitable its subsequent three video games was required for rising from group play. Sunday’s win started that upward climb. In three video games, Dončić is averaging 33 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 9.7 assists and three.3 steals.
Dončić enjoying in the 2025 EuroBasket event raised some eyebrows after he signed a three-year, $155 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, formally chopping the ribbon on being the current and future star of the workforce as LeBron James‘ prospects previous this season are uncertain.
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Those considerations heightened after Dončić appeared to injure his knee when his leg collided with a teammate’s throughout a EuroBasket exhibition. He briefly left the sport however quickly returned and was stored from enjoying extra by the Slovenia medical workers.
Despite avoiding severe harm, that harm scare stoked fears that the Lakers’ new funding can be misplaced enjoying abroad. Yet Lakers workforce governor Jeanie Buss and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka traveled to Poland to watch Dončić, indicating that the franchise absolutely supported his need to characterize his nation in worldwide play.
“Zero problems,” Pelinka advised The Athletic’s Dan Woike. “I mean, it’s just something that we believe in for the Lakers organization.”
it’s simply nice to see him along with his teammates, interacting, having enjoyable,” he added. “He is in nice form, actually dedicated to working exhausting this summer time, and to have the ability to watch that in individual was price flying over the ocean to come be with him.”
Playing competitively this summer time to preserve his conditioning and hold his abilities sharp is probably going an element in why the Lakers are effective with Dončić enjoying in EuroBasket. His bodily form has been the story of his — and the Lakers’ — offseason. In addition to exercises, the seven-year veteran modified his food plan to get rid of gluten and reduce sugar, in accordance to Men’s Health.
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His weight and skill to keep on the ground to present even a slight defensive presence, particularly late in the season and in the course of the playoffs, was the goal of scrutiny and criticism all through his profession with the Dallas Mavericks. The workforce’s concern about that was presumably a cause he was traded to the Lakers in a deal that’s nonetheless stunning seven months later.
Up subsequent for Dončić and Slovenia is a matchup with Iceland on Tuesday at 8 a.m. ET.