It didn’t take long for Luka Doncic to put basketball fans — and particularly Lakers supporters — at ease. In just seven minutes of Slovenia’s preparation game against Great Britain, Doncic erased all doubts surrounding his health, dominated the floor, and reminded the basketball world exactly who he is.
After a scary moment in a previous matchup against Latvia, where a teammate accidentally fell on Doncic’s knee under the basket, concern quickly spread. The All-NBA star limped off the floor and didn’t return. Given his injury history, especially a nagging calf issue that limited him to just 50 games last NBA season, panic was understandable. The incident brought back tough memories of Doncic laboring through the first round of the playoffs, visibly fatigued and clearly not at 100 percent.
So, when he stepped back on the court against Great Britain, all eyes were on how he’d move — and whether any lingering effects would show. The result? A dominant, pain-free, and totally in-control Luka Doncic who needed less than a quarter to calm nerves and reset expectations.
Doncic scored **12 points** in just **seven minutes**, added **2 rebounds**, and went a flawless **7-for-7 from the free-throw line**. But beyond the stat sheet, it was the *way* he played that stood out. He got to his spots with ease, absorbed contact without hesitation, and orchestrated the game like a maestro. There were no grimaces, no ginger steps, and certainly no signs of fear. He moved fluidly, attacked aggressively, and, as always, played with that signature swagger and vision that separates him from the rest.
“Luka’s harshest critic is Luka himself,” the official @FIBA EuroBasket account tweeted after his performance, hinting at the mindset and standard Doncic continues to hold himself to — even in exhibition play.
This short but impactful outing was exactly the reassurance Slovenia needed heading into EuroBasket and exactly the reassurance the Los Angeles Lakers needed as they gear up for the upcoming NBA season. Since being traded to the Lakers earlier this summer, Doncic’s health and conditioning have been under the microscope. With expectations sky-high and championship aspirations real, Lakers fans were understandably holding their breath after the Latvia scare.
Now, those worries seem to be behind them.
Slovenia is ramping up preparations for EuroBasket, and Doncic has looked dialed in throughout training camp. Even before the injury scare, his performances were drawing praise. His offseason conditioning — often a talking point in years past — seems to have taken a noticeable leap forward. His control of pace, ability to read the floor, and strength through contact are all on display, even in early tune-ups.
While it’s still early in Slovenia’s international campaign, one thing is clear: Doncic is healthy, confident, and already playing at a high level. The scary moment against Latvia may have caused a brief ripple of concern, but Doncic’s response was emphatic — and fast.
With EuroBasket looming and the NBA season right around the corner, Luka Doncic is not just back — he’s ready.