Credit: Jurij Kodrun/Noam Galai via Getty Images

Stephen A. Smith says whether Luka Doncic should stop playing for Slovenia in EuroBasket after injury scare

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By James Shearman | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 6:12 PM ET

Luka Doncic’s offseason had gone perfectly until he suffered an injury scare playing for Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025.

First of all, the Los Angeles Lakers completed the summer signing of Deandre Ayton to give Doncic a lob-catcher to assist next season.

He then accepted a three-year, $165 million contract to stay with the Lakers, making him one of the highest-paid players in NBA history.

Plus, the 26-year-old has been working on his fitness throughout the summer and looks to be in the best shape of his professional basketball career.

However, all of Doncic’s hard work could have been undone when his Slovenian teammate fell on him during a EuroBasket warm-up game.

Thankfully, the Lakers superstar is not injured, but Stephen A. Smith has now argued whether he should stop playing for his national team.

Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images

Stephen A. Smith understands Luka Doncic’s decision to play in EuroBasket

Considering the LA Lakers just paid Doncic $165m to be their long-term superstar, one would understand them not wanting him to take any risks.

However, the other side of the coin is that he is playing himself into tip-top shape to play the best basketball of his NBA career next season.

Indeed, that is the reason why Stephen A. Smith does not think it’s a bad idea for Doncic to continue playing for Slovenia this summer.

“Normally, I would say yes. But in this case, I’m going to say no,” he said. “He missed a lot of last season, obviously, in Dallas before he got traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Even though he was out of shape in a lot of people’s eyes, he still averaged 28, 8, and 7. He’s been on this conditioning tip and looks in the best shape we’ve ever seen him in. He just signed a new three-year deal.

“If you take all of those things into consideration, I would say to you, he’s got his bag, he’s got his money, and now he’s trying to work himself into the best shape that he’s ever been in his life. So if this is how he chooses to do it, I don’t knock him one bit.”

Stephen A. Smith uses Luka Doncic as example of how international players are different

Stephen A. also pointed out that foreign players, such as Doncic, Nikola Jokic , and Giannis Antetokounmpo, typically care more about international basketball than Americans.

“Not only that, I think it’s important to remind everybody what international players should be applauded for, which is something that we lament with the American players,” Smith added.

“Their level of dedication to their nation, wanting to represent their country, as often as they play in international competition, is very important to them. Their native citizens hold them accountable.

“This stuff matters to those folks. And so, when you look at it from that standpoint, his stepping up and doing that, I can understand where he’s coming from. I can’t knock him for that.”

With Doncic on the court, Slovenia has a genuine chance to win EuroBasket 2025, so who can blame him for taking it seriously?

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: