LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA - AUGUST 8: Luka Doncic of Slovenia reacts during the international basketball friendly match between Slovenia and Germany at Dvorana Stozice, on August 8, 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images) LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA - AUGUST 8: Luka Doncic of Slovenia reacts during the international basketball friendly match between Slovenia and Germany at Dvorana Stozice, on August 8, 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

Luka Doncic Sat Out Slovenia’s Game Vs. Lithuania But Will Play Saturday Vs. Latvia

Originally posted on Lakers Nation | By Corey Hansford | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 3:03 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has made news all summer long thanks to his complete physical transformation this offseason. And after signing a three-year contract extension with the Lakers, Doncic left to go back overseas and lead his native Slovenia as they are set to compete in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament.

With the tournament still a couple of weeks away, all of the teams are taking part in exhibition games in order to get ready and be at their best once EuroBasket officially begins on Aug. 27. But Slovenia is being very cautious in how they use the Lakers superstar.

Slovenia has a back-to-back in their exhibition schedule and head coach Aleksander Sekulic is choosing not to overwork their star. Luka sat out Friday’s contest against Lithuania, though the Lakers star is expected to play on Saturday when they face Latvia, via KZS_SI on X:

Kot je selektor Aleksander Sekulić napovedal že v začetku tedna, bodo igralne minute Luke Dončića na Baltiku omejene. Kapetan #mojtim bo tako dvoboj med Litvo in Slovenijo spremljal v civilni opravi, zaigral pa bo na jutrišnji tekmi proti Latviji. @TelemachSi I @TriglavGroup pic.twitter.com/qn88DqtZIE

— Košarkarska zveza SIovenije (@kzs_si) August 15, 2025

The move makes a lot of sense from Slovenia and Sekulic as they undoubtedly want Doncic to be in peak form once group play begins. Luka has already shown that he is ready to go in prior exhibitions, so playing him both nights of a back-to-back just wouldn’t be wise.

Doncic will be suiting up to take on Latvia, led by Kristaps Porzingis, on Saturday at 8 a.m. PT, giving everyone will get another chance to see how good the Lakers superstar looks. Most important is that Luka is at his best once the games matter and the Lakers star will have his work cut out for him as Slovenia is part of Group D that includes one of the tournament favorites in France.

Slovenian teammate credits Lakers’ Luka Doncic for growing as a leader

While Luka Doncic is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in basketball today, that doesn’t necessarily mean he is a great leader. But now at 26 years old, Doncic is growing and a teammate on the Slovenian National team has taken notice.

His teammate recently spoke about the Lakers superstar, crediting Luka for his attitude and commitment to the national team. He also made note of Doncic’s improvement as a communicator, saying that he talks ‘significantly more’ than he did in the past and what he does say is in good faith in hopes that his teammates improve.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Lakers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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