DALLAS — Following a 92-86 defeat to Lithuania in Vilnius, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks attended a practice session with the Slovenian national team on Monday. The team must trim its roster from 15 to 12 before heading to Piraeus, with a restriction of only one naturalized player allowed. Consequently, only either Josh Nebo or Mike Tobey can make the final squad for Greece.
Though Doncic’s participation hasn’t been officially confirmed, the Mavericks expect their star player to represent Slovenia if physically able. During the NBA playoffs, Doncic faced a right knee sprain, left ankle soreness, and a thoracic contusion that required pain-relief injections. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison noted, “As long as he can walk, he’s probably going to play for them.”
Slovenia has two exhibition games remaining, both in Ljubljana: a rematch against Lithuania on June 25, Slovenian National Day, and a final game against Brazil on June 28. In Greece, Slovenia will open the Group Phase against Croatia on July 2, featuring players like Ivica Zubac, Dario Saric, and Mario Hezonja. Their last group match before the quarterfinals will be against New Zealand on July 4.
There is a potential for Doncic to face Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece team in the Championship Game if both advance through the tournament. With only the winner securing a spot in the Paris Olympics, the stakes are extremely high.
Stay tuned to MavericksGameday for more updates on the Dallas Mavericks throughout the NBA offseason.
