Luka Doncic is quietly playing the best basketball of his career, and more people need to start taking notice. Leading Slovenia to the EuroBasket quarterfinals without a single other NBA player on the roster is a feat that should be making headlines everywhere, not fading into the background.
Doncic's EuroBasket dominance proves he’s leveled up
Doncic has been able to put on a powerful display of growth and determination. On Sunday, Luka poured in 42 points against Italy, including a jaw-dropping 22 points in the first quarter alone. The craziest part is those 22 points were more than the entire Italian team managed in the first quarter.
His incredible performance helped Slovenia secure an 84-77 win and punch their ticket to the next round. As good as he was at filling up the bucket, he did more than just drop points. Beyond the scoring, Doncic grabbed 10 rebounds and had three steals, proving he was locked in on both ends of the floor.
What makes this run particularly impressive is the context surrounding Slovenia’s team. Aside from Doncic, there are no NBA players on the roster. Slovenia is not a basketball powerhouse, but Doncic’s leadership has turned them into a real threat.
NBA insider Marc Stein put it well in The Stein Line: “Slovenia's Doncic-led advancement to the quarterfinals of EuroBasket should rank as one of the more impressive achievements on 77's resume.”
The tournament itself has been full of surprises; top teams like Serbia and France exited earlier than expected. Even so, Slovenia’s journey stands out because of Doncic’s solo brilliance.
Despite a rough start with two straight losses and a shaky start to their preparation games, which included a fall that threatened his health, Doncic has been able to rally the team to four straight wins and keep their title hopes alive.
Throughout the tournament, Doncic is averaging 34 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. His scoring numbers lead the competition and place him among an elite group of EuroBasket legends with multiple 40-point games.
It is the kind of performance that speaks volumes about his skills, endurance, and ability to carry a team through tough circumstances.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, this has got to be exciting to watch. Doncic is coming off an offseason where he has clearly refined his game and grew into a more mature, focused player. This stretch at EuroBasket showcases him not just as a scorer but as a leader who can inspire a team, even when the odds are not in their favor.
When the NBA season begins, the Lakers will be getting a version of Doncic who’s sharpened his mental and physical edge. This summer in Europe is not just a detour; it is a glimpse of what is to come.