Luka Doncic, Slovenia, EuroBasket, Los Angeles Lakers
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Luka Doncic of Slovenia reacts during the international basketball friendly match between Slovenia and Germany at Dvorana Stozice, on August 8, 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Though Sloveniadidn’t finish the 2025 EuroBasket tournament with a medal, Luka Doncic led the team in historic fashion against many other top NBA players.
As he heads into his first full season on the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic was recently named one of the biggest ‘winners‘from the competition, despiteSlovenia finishing seventh.
“Luka’s more aggressive offensive approach was crucial in taking his country as far as it could go,”Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report wrote. “Over the course of seven EuroBasket contests, Dončić averaged 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.”
Doncic led EuroBasket in total points and average points per game, while finishing eighth in average rebounds and second in assists.He also led the tournament in efficiency rating and finished near the top of each major statistical category despite playing in fewer games than the players and teams thathad a furtherrun in the competition.
Luka Doncic A ‘Winner‘From EuroBasket
Sloveniawasknocked out of EuroBasket in the quarterfinals, but thatdoesn’t meanDoncic’s playdidn’t live up to the hype.Slovenia’s roster featured just one other player currently active on a EuroLeague roster, with Doncic as the only player active in the NBA on the team.
Accordingly, a majority of the offensewas run through the new Lakers superstar. But though he either led or finished near the top of each major statistical category of the competition, the rosters of teams like Germany and France were just too much for him to take on single-handedly.
“He even received high marks for his defense, somethingthat’s long been the subject of criticism during his NBA career,”Bailey wrote as Doncic finished tied for first in the tournament with 2.7 steals per game.”This tournament was our first test run with the new “Skinny Luka”that debuted earlier this summer. And the way he played on both ends of the floor should have the rest of the league taking notice ahead of 2025-26.”
Despite their early exit, Doncic proved that even outside the NBA, he can lead a team to its peak performance, a reason for being named one of the ‘winners‘coming out of the tournament.
Even after his performance throughout EuroBasket, Doncic said hewasn’t pleased with his play in their quarterfinal loss to Germany.
“I‘m angry, 100 percent angry,”Doncic said. “I could have done more in the last quarter, I forced shots, I could have been better in key moments, Ididn’t make the right decisions… Hats off to the guys, we showed we can win. We all fought and gave our best.”
Now Ready For A Full Season With The Lakers
Though Doncicwasn’t happy with his play inSlovenia’s knockout game, the numbers he put up during EuroBasket are a positive sign for Lakers fans looking to the upcoming NBA season.
As Bailey mentioned, it was the first time fans saw ‘Skinny Luka‘on the court. It was also his first action since signing a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers.
Though in the past Doncic claimed his participation with the Slovenia national teamplayed a part in his lack of physical discipline, the stardoesn’t believe it will impact him for the Lakers when their season starts in a little over a month.
Even after finishing third in EuroBasket minutes per game with some bumps and bruises along the way, he said just a bit of rest will ensurehe’s prepared for the upcoming NBA season.
“No panic.I’ll have a few days to rest, then the new season starts,”Doncic added after emphasizing his feelings towards wanting more forSlovenia’s national basketball team.
As the season approaches, Doncic will now have his sights set on his first full season with LeBron James and the Lakers. The team added Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia over the offseason in hopes of bolstering theirbig man depth and defensive ceiling. Doncic was reportedly involved in theLakers’ decision-making over the summer as he holds championship aspirations for his new team.
“I had a taste of the Finals,”Doncic reportedly said over the summer. “I am getting back there. Solet’s do whatever we can now.”