19+5 in 24 minutes! Doncic s debut performance was good: three-pointers are very accurate

On August 9, Doncic made his debut in preparation for the European Championship this year, and the Slovenian men's basketball team lost to the German men's basketball team 89-103. However, Doncic performed well in his personal performance. He played in 24 minutes, made 5 of 11 shots, 3 of 6 three-pointers, and 6 of 13 free throws, scoring 19 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists. German men's basketball players Schroeder and Daniel Theis were absent. Wagner Jr. scored 18 points, David Kramer scored 18 points, and Bonga contributed 15 points. Gregor Hrovat contributed 15 points to Slovenia. The

competition was held in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Previously, the host of Slovenia's POP TV station revealed in a news program that Doncic had lost 31 pounds, about 14 kilograms (28 kilograms) compared to a year ago. Doncic weighed 270 pounds, about 245 pounds when he first arrived at the Lakers in February 2025, making him the highest weight player in the team. After the 2024-25 season, Doncic quickly returned to Europe for physical training. After more than two months, his weight loss effect was very significant. Now, Doncic represents Slovenia to prepare for the European Championship. The day before the game, Doncic talked about his weight loss in an interview: "We made a slightly different plan, and I had more time to adjust. Last year it was really hard, I played until June, and then went to the national team, with no energy at all. This year I have more time."

Regarding the many criticisms of him from the outside world, Doncic said: "I don't care too much. These are what they have to do, and I just play basketball. Criticism always exists, I have I'm used to it. This is part of this sport and cannot be separated from it. I just try my best to play my own game." Regarding the match against the German men's basketball team, Doncic said he would learn from his opponents: "We all know what level of the German national team is. The game will be difficult, they are the world champions. We will learn a lot from the game, and we can also see where we are. Our chemistry is very good at the moment."

The German men's basketball team was the champion of the last men's basketball World Cup. It does have strong strength and its lineup depth is better than Slovenia. With Schroeder and Daniel Theis absent, he still took the initiative in this game and won the game smoothly. Doncic felt good in this game. Shortly after the game, he used his teammates to cover a long three-pointer, then broke through the middle, created a foul and scored the ball. After losing weight, Doncic's ability to confrontation did not decline. He frequently caused damage, but unfortunately his free throw percentage was lower on this day, and only 6 of his 13 free throws were made. Doncic's three-pointers showed his power, and the three three-pointers he made were all very long three-pointers.

Slovenia will also play another warm-up match with the German men's basketball team in Mannheim, Germany. In addition, Slovenia will also play a warm-up match with the Lithuanian men's basketball team on August 15.

Regarding the goal of this European Championship, Doncic said: "Our goal is always medals. I am not the only leader. If there is only one leader, it is the entire team." Doncic likes to compete on behalf of Slovenia. He said: "Everyone knows that as long as I am healthy, I will play. This decision is not difficult for me at all."

Doncic once helped the Slovenian men's basketball team win the European Championship in 2017, but that was the golden age of the Slovenian men's basketball team, and Golan Dragic was in his year of playing. With Golan Dragic's retirement, the Slovenian men's basketball team's dual-core became single-core, and its overall strength declined significantly, making it more difficult to compete for medals in the European Championship.

The Slovenian men's basketball team has not emerged in recent years. Judging from the training roster, veterans Zoran Dragic, Qianchar, Preperic, Grovat and others are on the list. Slovenia's lineup is equipped with the strength to reach the quarterfinals of the European Championship, but it is difficult to win medals. Slovenia's match is in the same group as France, Poland, Israel, Belgium and Iceland, and the match will start on August 27.

The number one favorite to win the European Championship is the German men's basketball team. The German men's basketball team led by Schroeder and Wagner Jr. have a strong lineup, and the main players have been working together for a long time, and they are still in their first year of playing.

The Serbian men's basketball team led by Jokic is also a favorite to win the championship, and Bogdan Bogdanovic and Jovic will also compete in the European Championship. Antetokounmpo leads the Greek men's basketball team to the European Championship, and his goal is also to hit the medal. Lithuania was led by Valanciunas. The French men's basketball team lacks many players who compete in the NBA. Vinban Yama and Gobert both missed the game, but Rissache and Yabussele were also leading the team. These traditional European powerhouses are very strong.