During a EuroBasket 2025 exhibition game between Slovenia and Latvia on Saturday, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic sustained an injury after a collision with a teammate. The incident occurred early in the third quarter when a teammate was pushed into Doncic’s lower leg, causing him noticeable pain. Despite the injury, Doncic was able to leave the court on his own, heading to the locker room while favoring his right leg.
Initial Diagnosis and Positive Recovery Signs
Medical evaluation revealed that Doncic suffered a right knee contusion, rather than a more serious injury, providing relief to fans and the Slovenian team alike. Through the first half of the game, Doncic had already contributed significantly with 26 points, five assists, and five rebounds before the incident sidelined him. This update was widely reported by basketball outlets covering the EuroBasket preparations.
BREAKING: Luka Doncic has AVOIDED a serious knee injury after his Slovenian teammate crashed into his leg in a EuroBasket exhibition game vs. Latvia. Luka had 26 PTS, 5 AST, & 5 REB in the FIRST HALF before the injury happened.Get well soon, Luka! pic.twitter.com/ATwElWyNlt— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX)
Slovenia’s Federation Confirms Practice Return and Game Status
The Slovenian basketball federation announced that Doncic is expected to resume practice on Monday following the injury, with his availability for the next exhibition game against Great Britain still uncertain. The federation and team officials plan to assess his condition closer to the Tuesday matchup to determine if he will suit up.
Luka Dončić is scheduled to be back at practice Monday, Slovenia’s basketball federation (@kzs_si) has announced, with his official status still TBD for Tuesday’s @EuroBasket warmup game at home against Great Britain.More NBA from me: https://t.co/K79KvJ5u6I https://t.co/A4CZLP6IPb— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine)
Context on Luka Doncic’s Career Progress and Recent Moves
Just weeks before this tournament, Luka Doncic made headlines by signing a three-year maximum contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. This came after a surprising midseason trade that moved him from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers in a deal involving Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and future draft picks. In his brief time so far with the Lakers—28 regular season games and one postseason series—Doncic has established himself as the focal point of the franchise’s future.
Offseason Conditioning and Outlook for Upcoming Season
At 26 years old, Doncic has committed himself to improving his physical condition, responding to past criticisms with a rigorous training program. This effort resulted in a weight loss of 31 pounds, earning him a feature on the cover of Men’s Health, where he shared details of his new regimen. With the NBA season just over two months away, excitement is building as Doncic prepares for his first full campaign with Los Angeles.
Implications of Injury and Expectations Moving Forward
While the knee contusion was a setback during Slovenia’s EuroBasket 2025 preparations, the absence of a serious injury allows Doncic to continue participating in summer international play. His quick return to practice suggests a manageable recovery timeline. Fans and the Lakers organization are closely monitoring his progress, hoping this incident will not affect his contribution when the NBA season begins. This injury update provides cautious optimism about Doncic’s health and readiness to perform at a high level for both club and country in the months ahead.