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Los Angeles Lakers
Aug 15, 2025 11:53 AM EDT
Slovenia’s superstar Luka Doncic will miss his second consecutive tune-up game as the national team prepares for EuroBasket.
Doncic, 26, will sit out today’s friendly against Lithuania after playing in the opener on August 8.
Showing his usual flair, Doncic scored 19 points on 2 for 5 shooting inside the arc, 3 for 6 from three-point range and 6 for 13 from the free throw line. He added three rebounds and five assists in Slovenia’s 89–103 loss to Germany earlier this week.
The decision not to play him again tonight is not rooted in injury but in prudence. Coach Aleksander Sekulic explained that Doncic joined the squad late and careful load management is key.
With back-to-back road games looming, first against Lithuania on August 15 and then Latvia on August 16, the plan is to field Doncic in only one of them, whether his minutes are full or moderated.
That strategy aligns with his gradual reintroduction following his Los Angeles Lakers offseason and a necessary adjustment from the fatigue of his media tour and jet lag.
Slovenia Coach Emphasizes Load Management Ahead Of EuroBasket
Sekulic emphasized that Doncic’s limited participation is purely a result of load management.
Returning from the offseason and media commitments, the 6-foot-7 guard is being treated like a valuable preseason asset, eased into full intensity.
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The coach made clear, “Luka joined the national team late, so we have to pay attention to the number of games he plays or the number of minutes he spends on the court. That’s why we took the opportunity in Germany and tested other guys.”
The decision reflects a broader objective to protect Doncic’s conditioning for the high-stakes EuroBasket, which begins on August 27, when Slovenia will face France, Poland, Belgium, Iceland and Israel in Group D.
Doncic’s History With Slovenia Demonstrates His Impact
Doncic debuted with Slovenia as a 17-year-old in 2016 and quickly became a pivotal player. He led the nation to its first EuroBasket gold in 2017 and earned All-Tournament Team honors.
At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he erupted for 48 points in a historic debut, the second-highest Olympic total ever, while steering Slovenia past Argentina.
Lakers and Slovenian star Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic will be rested for a second time as he prepares for a summer with the Slovenian national team. — Source: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
His national team career totals underscore his dominance. Through 2024, he has scored 968 official points, averaging 23.6 per game, ranking among the EuroBasket scoring leaders despite making relatively few appearances.
At 26 years old with that resume, Doncic remains both Slovenia’s engine and its face on the global stage. As Slovenia fine-tunes its roster, managing Doncic’s minutes preserves his sharpness for the tournament’s most demanding moments.
About the Author
Matt De Lima
Trending News Writer, Athlon Sports
Matt De Lima is a trending news writer for Athlon Sports.