Luka Dončić gave Slovenia both a reason to celebrate and a moment to worry during its clash against Italy in EuroBasket 2025 on Sept. 7. The Los Angeles Lakers’ $165 million star left Sunday’s game with a scare that had fans across Europe and in L.A. holding their breath.
But after briefly heading to the locker room, he returned to deliver a performance that will be remembered long after the final buzzer. Here’s the latest on Dončić’s injury scare.
What Happened to Luka Dončić at EuroBasket 2025?
During the first quarter of Slovenia’s 84-77 win, Dončić left the court and walked to the locker room with visible discomfort in his hip. The sight immediately raised alarms, especially given his recent string of injuries. Showtime Luka on X captured the moment he left, fueling speculation online about whether the Lakers star was in trouble once again.
Luka was seen headed to the locker room. He’s back on the bench, but something is bothering him in the hip area. pic.twitter.com/uXMNmyD1Mh
— Showtime Luka (@showtimeluka) September 7, 2025
It wasn’t the first scare of the summer. In August, Dončić sustained a knee contusion during a preparation game against Latvia after colliding with a teammate, sparking similar fears. Fortunately, just like then, the damage Sunday proved minor.
Dončić reappeared on the bench early in the second quarter, easing concerns for both Slovenia and Lakers fans. His head coach, Aleksander Sekulić, even offered a surprisingly lighthearted explanation afterward: “He told me that he needs to go to the toilet. Maybe there was another reason, but that’s what he told me,” Sekulic revealed as per Basketnews.
After the game, Dončić confirmed to reporters that he was fine, though not without some discomfort. “Yes, it hurts. I have to go to get therapies now. But will be fine,” he told Slovenian media. That statement suggests that while he may need ongoing treatment, no serious injury has been diagnosed.
Will Luka Dončić Play Against Germany After Injury Scare?
For now, the team has not announced any official injury, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be ready to face Germany in Slovenia’s quarterfinal clash. If there were any doubts about his condition, Dončić quickly erased them with a masterclass.
He exploded for 42 points on 11-for-19 shooting, including five 3-pointers and a near-perfect 15-for-16 from the free-throw line. He also added 10 rebounds, three steals, and a key presence in crunch time as Slovenia battled past Italy.
📽️ LUKA FILM 📽️
Luka went OFF today with 42 points on 1.40 points per possession.
Here’s every shot, turnover, or FT trip drawn from him vs Italy. pic.twitter.com/bvXJc95s7H
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) September 7, 2025
The performance was another showcase of his improved fitness and slimmed-down frame, both of which have been talking points throughout the tournament. Despite coming off his most injury-plagued NBA season, playing only 50 games between Dallas and Los Angeles, Dončić looks refreshed and locked in.
For Slovenia, his presence is more than just numbers. Without its superstar, advancing in EuroBasket would feel almost impossible. Next, Slovenia faces Germany, the defending world champions, in what promises to be one of the toughest quarterfinals of the tournament.
With Franz Wagner, Dennis Schröder, and Tristan Da Silva leading the German roster, Dončić will need to carry that same brilliance into the next round.
At just 26, Dončić has already built a reputation as someone who can rise above pain and deliver when his country needs him most. Sunday was the latest reminder that Slovenia’s hopes of a deep EuroBasket run rest firmly on his shoulders, and once again, he proved he’s ready for the challenge.
