Los Angeles Lakers famous person guard Luka Doncic is currently with the Slovenia national team because it prepares for this 12 months’s FIBA EuroBasket event. On Saturday, Slovenia confronted off towards Latvia for certainly one of its warm-up video games.
Sadly for Slovenia, and definitely for Lakers followers, issues did not go in response to plan. Halfway via the third quarter, Doncic was injured as certainly one of his teammates fell into him. Doncic was in a position to depart the court docket on his personal and later returned to the crew’s bench.
According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, Doncic was lucky and averted a serious harm. Nonetheless, the stress that second prompted for the Lakers entrance workplace, his teammates and followers world wide was palpable.
Doncic just lately signed a three-year, $160M contract extension with the Lakers. They’ve spent this summer time constructing out a roster that fits his fashion of play.
Doubtlessly shedding Doncic to a world warmup recreation would have been a tricky blow for the Lakers.
Season-altering accidents have occurred throughout worldwide play earlier than. Danilo Gallinari tore his ACL throughout a World Cup Qualifier whereas enjoying for Italy, simply weeks after signing with the Boston Celtics in 2022. Los Angeles will undoubtedly need to keep away from an identical destiny.
Whereas Doncic seems to have escaped harm on this occasion, it might be clever for Slovenia to take some additional precautions with the star all through the remainder of the warmup schedule. In spite of everything, he’s unlikely to show down an opportunity to symbolize his nation, however he additionally has a dedication to the Lakers.
As increasingly more European abilities make their strategy to the NBA, there might have to be some tips in how each groups and international locations method these warmup video games transferring ahead.
