Luka Doncic has been cleared to continue Slovenia’s EuroBasket preparations after suffering a knee contusion in Saturday’s loss to Latvia, easing concerns ahead of the team’s final stretch of tune-up games.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar and Slovenian national team captain went down in the third quarter when a teammate crashed into his leg. He limped off and did not return, but the postgame diagnosis revealed only a bruise to his right knee. Doncic was back with the full squad at practice on Monday, with no lingering effects from the sequence.
Slovenia Still Seeking First Win
Slovenia enters Tuesday’s matchup against Great Britain still seeking its first exhibition win. The team is 0-4 in the warm-up phase, with losses to Lithuania, Italy, Germany and Latvia. Doncic has been the bright spot, scoring 26 points in just 20 minutes before his early exit in Riga.
Head coach Aleksander Sekulic acknowledged the results have not gone Slovenia’s way, but emphasized that the team’s focus remains on steady progress as EuroBasket approaches.
“It is true that we have not yet recorded a victory in the matches, but there is no nervousness in the team,” Sekulic said. “We know what things we need to improve, we know what we want, and progress is visible day by day. The desire to win will certainly be even greater, but we must not deviate from the path we have set.”
Slovenia started strong in Riga, building a 31-21 lead behind Doncic’s 15 first-quarter points, but a poor third quarter proved costly. Latvia used an 18-0 run to seize control, and Slovenia could not recover despite rallying late.
Gregor Hrovat, who added 15 points in the game, said the team drew confidence from how it responded when its leader left the floor.
“We competed well with them for 36 minutes, but those four at the beginning of the second half cost us a better result,” Hrovat said. “I’m proud of how we came together when Luka Doncic left the court and proved that we can compete with the best. I have a positive feeling before the next matches.”
Luka Doncic, Slovenia Face Final Tests Before EuroBasket
Tuesday’s meeting with Great Britain in Stozice Arena represents Slovenia’s last home game before EuroBasket. Great Britain enters the contest with an 0-3 record in its friendlies after losses to France, Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Slovenians will then travel to Belgrade for a marquee test against Serbia on Thursday. That game marks their final preparation before the EuroBasket group stage begins in Katowice, Poland, one week later.
Doncic, eager to reconnect with Slovenian fans after the scare in Riga, made a direct appeal for support.
“Tomorrow we play a match against Great Britain,” Doncic said. “I hope to see as many of you as possible.”
