Luka Doncic has been cleared to proceed Slovenia’s EuroBasket preparations after struggling a knee contusion in Saturday’s loss to Latvia, easing issues forward of the staff’s remaining stretch of tune-up video games.
The Los Angeles Lakers celebrity and Slovenian nationwide staff captain went down within the third quarter when a teammate crashed into his leg. He limped off and didn’t return, however the postgame analysis revealed solely a bruise to his proper knee. Doncic was again with the total squad at observe on Monday, with no lingering results from the sequence.
Slovenia Nonetheless Searching for First Win
Slovenia enters Tuesday’s matchup in opposition to Nice Britain nonetheless searching for its first exhibition win. The staff is 0-4 within the warm-up part, with losses to Lithuania, Italy, Germany and Latvia. Doncic has been the intense spot, scoring 26 factors in simply 20 minutes earlier than his early exit in Riga.
Head coach Aleksander Sekulic acknowledged the outcomes haven’t gone Slovenia’s manner, however emphasised that the staff’s focus stays on regular progress as EuroBasket approaches.
“It’s true that we now have not but recorded a victory within the matches, however there is no such thing as a nervousness within the staff,” Sekulic stated. “We all know what issues we have to enhance, we all know what we would like, and progress is seen daily. The will to win will definitely be even higher, however we should not deviate from the trail we now have set.”
Slovenia began robust in Riga, constructing a 31-21 lead behind Doncic’s 15 first-quarter factors, however a poor third quarter proved expensive. Latvia used an 18-0 run to grab management, and Slovenia couldn’t get better regardless of rallying late.
Gregor Hrovat, who added 15 factors within the recreation, stated the staff drew confidence from the way it responded when its chief left the ground.
“We competed effectively with them for 36 minutes, however these 4 initially of the second half value us a greater end result,” Hrovat stated. “I’m pleased with how we got here collectively when Luka Doncic left the courtroom and proved that we will compete with the very best. I’ve a constructive feeling earlier than the subsequent matches.”
Luka Doncic, Slovenia Face Remaining Checks Earlier than EuroBasket
Tuesday’s assembly with Nice Britain in Stozice Enviornment represents Slovenia’s final residence recreation earlier than EuroBasket. Nice Britain enters the competition with an 0-3 file in its friendlies after losses to France, Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Slovenians will then journey to Belgrade for a marquee take a look at in opposition to Serbia on Thursday. That recreation marks their remaining preparation earlier than the EuroBasket group stage begins in Katowice, Poland, one week later.
Doncic, desperate to reconnect with Slovenian followers after the scare in Riga, made a direct enchantment for help.
“Tomorrow we play a match in opposition to Nice Britain,” Doncic stated. “I hope to see as a lot of you as potential.”
