Luka Doncic is perhaps one of many largest stars in basketball, however that does not imply he is proof against slightly tough love, particularly from his personal teammates. On Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers guard suited up for Slovenia of their first preparation recreation for EuroBasket 2025 in opposition to Germany. It was his first aggressive motion in months after sitting out your entire summer season, and all eyes have been on how rapidly he might shake off the rust.
Luka Doncic will get slapped by Slovenia teammate in a packed basketball area
Doncic instructed reporters he was feeling good however admitted it could take a while to search out his rhythm once more. “It has been some time since I have been on the courtroom in an actual recreation,” he stated, hinting that these exhibition matches are as a lot about conditioning as they’re about group chemistry. Seems, the chemistry half may include some surprising contact.
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Halfway via the sport, Luka drove laborious to the basket, absorbed a foul from a German defender, and nonetheless managed to complete the play for an and-one. The gang erupted, his teammates celebrated after which got here the second that had everybody speaking. Slovenia’s quantity 24, hyped by the play, slapped Doncic on the again of the pinnacle and gave him a light-weight push. No malice, no drama, only a teammate caught up within the emotion of the sport.
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If Doncic was bothered, he did not present it. He merely smiled and acquired prepared for the free throw, prefer it was simply one other a part of basketball. For somebody used to fixed bodily play within the NBA, a fast slap from a teammate in all probability barely registers. However for followers, the clip was an immediate speaking level equal components humorous and shocking.
Slovenia ended the evening with lots to construct on, and Doncic seemed extra like himself as the sport went on. Whereas the scoreline mattered, what actually stood out was seeing Luka again in aggressive kind, transferring effectively, and displaying flashes of the brilliance Lakers followers are relying on this season.
The Lakers have massive expectations for his or her new franchise cornerstone: deep playoff runs, championship competition, and a gradual presence on the prime of the Western Convention. If meaning he has to get used to slightly further contact alongside the way in which, whether or not from opponents or overexcited teammates, Doncic appears greater than able to deal with it.
