Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic showed the entire world that his body transformation wasn’t just for show as he led an underdog Slovenia team to the elimination rounds of FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
Doncic was at the center of Slovenia’s upset win against Italy, doing everything he could on both ends of the floor to ensure his team would win. Unfortunately for him and his teammates, they ran into Germany in the quarterfinals and were eliminated from EuroBasket after losing 99-91.
Doncic put up a valiant effort against the loaded German team featuring several NBA players, recording a near-triple-double of 39 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. The counting stats are absurd and it goes to show how much heavy lifting Doncic needed to do to drag Slovenia that far into the tournament.
Following the loss to Germany, the Slovenian star expressed he was angry and believed he could have done more, as translated by Luka Updates:
Luka on how he feels after the game:
"Angry, 100% angry. Even I could do more in the last quarter. I think I forced too many shots. But Angry, I could play better in last moments when the game was on the line, I didn't do right decisions. But we all fought from start to end"… pic.twitter.com/T8yuoUCWgQ
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) September 10, 2025
However, Doncic later showed how proud he was of Slovenia via his personal Instagram account:
Luka IG story
PROUD! ❤️🇸🇮 pic.twitter.com/smz8s6we6U
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) September 10, 2025
Doncic loves playing for Slovenia and although he never has the same level of talent on his teams like other countries do, he finds ways to keep them competitive through his own abilities and will.
His outstanding EuroBasket run bodes well for the Lakers and the 2025-26 season as the franchise is banking everything on the superstar.
Doncic is being touted as an early MVP candidate and if EuroBasket is any indication than he’s ready to take the NBA by storm. Los Angeles upgraded its roster with a mix of veterans and young talent, but their entire season rests on Doncic’s shoulders.
While Doncic couldn’t get the job done with Slovenia, he has an opportunity to rectify the loss with a championship with the purple and gold.
Luka Doncic becomes Slovenia’s all-time leading scorer
For an undermanned squad like Slovenia, Luka Doncic needed to turn more into a scorer than playmaker. Doncic was electric in pool play and the round of 16, becoming Slovenia’s all-time leading scorer in international play.
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