Los Angeles Lakers fans can relax. Luka Doncic has been cleared to return for Slovenia just days after a knee scare in EuroBasket action.
He “was reportedly cleared to play for Slovenia,” ending speculation that the injury could linger, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Tuesday.
The incident happened Saturday during an exhibition game against Latvia, when a teammate fell into his leg. He limped off the court and did not return to that contest.
Slovenia’s staff made the call to keep him sidelined despite Luka wanting back in, and he was later seen sitting on the bench with ice wrapped around his knee the rest of the contest.
By Monday, the news looked much better.
“Doncic was able to return to practice Monday,” Chris Cwik of Yahoo Sports wrote. “He apparently came out of that practice looking like himself, leading to Doncic reportedly being cleared to play Tuesday.”
Slovenia now faces Great Britain in its next exhibition.
The timing is important. Slovenia’s official EuroBasket opener comes August 28 against Poland, and Doncic’s appearance this week is viewed as a positive indicator that he is fully recovered.
This year also comes with bigger expectations for Doncic at the NBA level. After a blockbuster trade brought him to Los Angeles from Dallas last season, he averaged 28.2 points and 8.1 rebounds following the trade. Earlier this month, he signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers.
The 26-year-old also worked on his conditioning. Reports noted he dropped roughly 31 pounds thanks to a new training regime. If that holds, it could mean the best version of Luka yet entering the 2025-26 season.
READ MORE: Luka Dončić Suffers Injury Scare After Collision at EuroBasket