Lakers star Luka Doncic received encouraging news Monday, as Slovenia’s basketball federation confirmed he would return to practice following a minor right knee contusion suffered in an exhibition matchup against Latvia on Saturday. The 26-year-old guard had been sidelined after a teammate collided with his leg, forcing him to leave the court and sit out the remainder of the contest.
“Luka Dončić has been cleared to play for Slovenia in Tuesday night’s home game against Great Britain,” NBA insider Marc Stein reported, confirming that the former Dallas Maverick would participate in the next exhibition game. Slovenia is using these preseason matchups to prepare for EuroBasket 2025, which officially tips off later this month.
Lakers’ Star, Luka Doncic, Cleared to Play for Slovenia After Knee Injury Scare
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Doncic walked off the court on his own after the collision but was noticeably favoring his right leg. Slovenian staff, prioritizing caution, did not allow him to return against Latvia. However, by Monday, he was back on the practice floor in full pads and reportedly looked like himself. Head coach and team officials emphasized that the injury was not serious and would not impact his availability for the tournament.
This development comes shortly after Doncic signed a three-year, maximum-salary extension with the Lakers, featuring a player option for the 2028-29 season. The deal ensures that the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year and five-time All-NBA first-teamer will continue to anchor Los Angeles’ roster. After battling a calf issue last season that limited him to 50 games, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while maintaining strong shooting efficiency (.450/.368/.782).
Fans in Los Angeles can breathe easier knowing their star guard remains on track for both EuroBasket and the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. The Lakers, eager to integrate Doncic fully into their system following last season’s early playoff exit, will watch closely as he returns to action against Great Britain in Tuesday’s exhibition.
With the first official EuroBasket game against Poland set for August 28, Doncic’s return to practice and clearance for Tuesday’s game signal that the star is ready to continue his offseason development without major setbacks—offering a promising start to what is expected to be a pivotal season for both Slovenia and the Lakers.