Luka Doncic’s 42-Point Outburst Sends Slovenia to EuroBasket Quarterfinals
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RIGA, Latvia — Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic powered Slovenia past Italy on Sept. 7, 2025, scoring 42 points in a 89-77 Round of 16 victory at Arena Riga that secured a spot in the EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals.
Doncic erupted for 22 of his 42 points in the opening quarter, quickly silencing a pro-Italian crowd and establishing a lead Slovenia never surrendered. He finished the afternoon with 10 rebounds and a single assist, a reflection of teammates’ shooting struggles that pushed him into a scoring role.
The 26-year-old also registered multiple steals and deflections, addressing concerns about his defense that surfaced during the Dallas Mavericks’ 2024-25 NBA season. After the final horn, Doncic posted a highlight montage to his Instagram account, showing baskets from all areas of the floor, raucous Slovenian fans, and a celebratory moment in which he moved the nation’s name forward on the tournament bracket.
Underdogs Advance
Slovenia entered EuroBasket as a long shot to medal, with powerhouse rosters from Serbia, Germany and France drawing most of the attention. Countries such as Turkey, Greece and Italy were also touted as threats. Doncic’s performance against Italy, however, extended Slovenia’s surprising run.
Next Challenge: Germany
The quarterfinal matchup brings a clash with Germany, one of the pre-tournament favorites led by NBA players Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder. Slovenia will likely need broader offensive contributions to upset the German side and move within two wins of the podium.
Body Transformation Paying Off
Assistant coach Greg St. Jean recently attributed Doncic’s offseason weight loss to inspiration from teammate LeBron James. The slimmer physique has translated to heightened stamina and defensive engagement during EuroBasket play.
The quarterfinal between Slovenia and Germany is scheduled later this week, with the winner advancing to the semifinals and remaining in medal contention.
Source: LakersNation.com
