During Slovenia’s exhibition match against Latvia on August 16, 2025, Luka Doncic went down following a collision where teammate Gregor Hrovat inadvertently fell into his right leg. The impact appeared to injure his right knee, forcing him to remain on the floor briefly before limping off under his own power.
Immediate Aftermath & Relief
Despite the alarming moment, reports confirmed that Doncic did not suffer a serious injury. After receiving medical attention, he was able to walk without assistance and returned to the bench later in the game, which was a welcome sign of recovery
Diagnosis & Outlook
- Field Level Media/Reuters and The Athletic both indicated there’s no indication of serious harm—meaning the injury is more of a scare than a setback at this stage.
- A follow-up report described the injury as a right knee contusion (a bruising injury), and emphasized that it’s not believed to be serious. Doncic is expected to remain with the Slovenian national team as they prepare for EuroBasket.
Luka’s Performance Regardless
Before the incident, Doncic had been playing brilliantly—scoring 26 points, collecting five assists, and four rebounds in just the first half, showcasing his readiness and form.
What This Means Moving Forward
- The positive medical updates suggest that Doncic will likely be available for Slovenia’s upcoming EuroBasket opener against Poland on August 28, and possibly other warm-up games.
- For the Lakers, who recently signed him to a three-year, $165 million extension, the good news is that their star guard appears to have avoided any lingering damage ahead of the NBA season.
At a Glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident | Knee collision caused by teammate during EuroBasket warm-up |
| Injury Type | Right knee contusion (not serious) |
| Initial Output | Scored 26 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds in the first half |
| Recovery Status | Walked off, returned to bench; expected to play soon |
| Next Steps | Monitoring, but likely to feature in Slovenia’s EuroBasket opener |
In summary, what began as a concerning injury scare appears to be nothing more than a momentary jolt—with good news all around. Luka’s durability, coupled with his pre-game dominance, bodes well for both his national team and the Lakers heading into the next competitive stretch.
