The Los Angeles Lakers can exhale once more.
Franchise star Luka Dončić survived another injury scare during the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, then powered Slovenia into the quarterfinals with a vintage scoring outburst.
Dončić appeared to tweak his leg in the opening period of Slovenia’s gritty 84-77 victory over Italy on Saturday. He erupted for 22 points in the first quarter alone before limping off the court and heading to the locker room, sparking immediate concern for both Slovenia and the Lakers.
The 26-year-old returned shortly after and played the rest of the game, brushing aside the incident in postgame interviews.
“Yeah,” Dončić told BasketNews when asked if he was fine after the game. But he admitted the leg “hurts” and said he would undergo treatment. “I have to go get therapies now. But it will be fine.”
Slovenia coach Aleksander Sekulić downplayed the situation with a lighthearted explanation.
“He told me that he needs to go to the toilet. Maybe there was another reason, but that’s what he told me,” Sekulić said in the press conference.
Another Offensive Masterpiece
Despite the scare, Dončić once again shouldered the offensive load, finishing with 42 points on 11-of-19 shooting. He hit 5 of 11 attempts from beyond the arc and was nearly flawless from the line, converting 15 of 16 free throws. He added 10 rebounds, three steals, and an assist in another all-around performance.
The victory set up a high-profile quarterfinal showdown with Germany, considered one of the tournament favorites following early exits by traditional powers France and Serbia.
Dončić continues to lead EuroBasket in scoring, averaging 34.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 3.2 steals per game.
Lakers Dodging Bullets
This was not the first time the Lakers have held their breath this summer. In a pre-tournament warmup win over Latvia last month, Dončić briefly left the floor after teammate Gregor Hrovat accidentally landed on his right knee. He returned quickly, downplaying the injury just as he did against Italy.
For a franchise built around his long-term health, Dončić’s resilience has been a source of relief.
The Transformation Behind the Durability
Part of Dončić’s ability to bounce back may be linked to the best physical condition of his career. According to Slovenian Pop TV, he shed 31 pounds over the offseason through a disciplined new regimen.
The Lakers star outlined his program in Men’s Health, describing an intermittent fasting regimen of 16 hours a day, six days a week, since the end of last season. From 8:30 p.m. until noon, he consumes no calories, often pushing through his first workout before breaking the fast.
His diet is gluten-free, low in sugar, and heavy in protein — at least 250 grams daily — complemented by an almond milk–based shake. He has also incorporated more plant-based foods and granted himself a rare month away from basketball to recharge mentally and physically.
Lingering Question
Dončić has vowed to continue the program into the upcoming NBA season, confident it will make him leaner, faster, and more durable than the version that averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 28 games for the Lakers last year.
For now, his summer focus remains on Slovenia’s EuroBasket campaign. His transformation is already showing dividends, as his dominant play and ability to brush off injuries have carried Slovenia into the tournament’s final eight.
The question lingering for both Slovenia and the Lakers: can Dončić stay upright through the grind of a deep international run and another demanding NBA season?
Lakers’ Luka Dončić Updates on Injury After Slovenia Win