Luka Doncic warning issued to Preston North End over basketball deal
PIRAEUS, Greece — Luka Doncic has played a lot of basketball since last summer, beginning with the FIBA World Cup, followed by the Dallas Mavericks’ season that ended in an NBA Finals run. Despite 15 days since Game 5 against the Boston Celtics and having to play Croatia at Peace and Friendship Stadium, Doncic committed to playing for the Slovenian national team at the Olympic qualifier.
Doncic finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists against Greece, but the talented squad led by tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo proved too much to handle in the 93-65 loss. The undersized Slovenian squad struggled to protect the paint in this tournament while deploying 6-foot-7 Josh Nebo at center. Vlatko Cancar and Edo Muric both struggled coming off ACL tears as well.
Congratulations to Greece. They were better, more rested, more aggressive, and above all, they have a great team with Giannis and many other stars and an outstanding coach,” Doncic said. “A defeat is a failure because we came here for the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, we ran into a better opponent.”
After playing over 100 games since August, Doncic understandably feels “very tired, but now, he’ll get to rest. Slovenia was attempting to qualify for consecutive Olympic appearances for the first time ever but fell short in those efforts. He still averaged 27.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in these three games.
“A long and tiring season is behind me. I admit that I am very tired, and at the same time, I am aware that I could give more of myself in a different state,” Doncic said. “Now I have a well-deserved rest waiting for me, and next year, I will have a new national team campaign at the European Championship.”
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