Even the biggest stars face tough lessons! Luka Doncic put up historic numbers at EuroBasket, but a surprising loss to Poland led to a candid message from an opponent. Was this the wake-up call Slovenia needed before facing a powerhouse like France?

Despite a monumental individual effort from superstar Luka Doncic, Slovenia suffered a surprising 105-95 defeat to Poland in their EuroBasket opener, setting an unexpected tone for their campaign. The loss, coming against a cohesive Polish side, underscored the competitive nature of the tournament and delivered a stark message to the highly-touted Slovenian team and their NBA icon.

Doncic, known for his incredible scoring prowess and all-around game, kick-started his 2025 EuroBasket journey with a record-breaking 34-point performance. His stat line was historic, making him the first player in EuroBasket history to achieve at least 30 points, five assists, and five steals in a single game, highlighting his exceptional talent on the European stage.

However, individual heroics were not enough to secure a victory for Slovenia. Facing off against former NBA Champion Jordan Lloyd, who now plays for AS Monaco, Doncic witnessed Lloyd’s equally impressive display. Lloyd matched Doncic’s intensity, scoring 32 points and guiding Poland to a commanding win, demonstrating their collective strength and strategic execution.

Following the significant upset, Lloyd had a pointed message for the Slovenian prodigy. He stated, “As a team, we used that as a motivation. We have to be humble, but on the other side, you’re going to respect us too. Luka is Luka, there’s no more credit and respect I can give to him, but tonight our team was better.” This candid remark from the opposing star resonated, emphasizing the importance of team unity over individual brilliance.

While Slovenia had two other players reach double-digit scoring, their offensive output was overshadowed by Poland’s red-hot shooting. The Polish squad demonstrated remarkable efficiency, converting 59% of their field-goal attempts and an impressive 14 of 26 from beyond the arc. This superior team shooting proved to be a decisive factor in the hard-fought contest.

The defeat also brought into focus Slovenia’s somewhat troubled preparation for EuroBasket this summer. The team concluded their exhibition games with a concerning 1-5 record, including a significant blowout loss to a formidable Serbian side led by their own NBA talent. These earlier struggles hinted at potential vulnerabilities that the opening EuroBasket game against Poland ultimately exposed.

Slovenia’s path forward in Group D becomes even more challenging as they prepare to face France, the formidable 2024 Olympic Silver Medalists. This highly anticipated matchup pits Doncic against his toughest opponent in the group, a team boasting five current NBA players and a reputation for balanced, high-caliber basketball.

France arrives at this critical encounter with high confidence, having obliterated Belgium 92-64 in their own EuroBasket opener. For Slovenia to pull off an upset against such a powerhouse, Doncic will undoubtedly need to dig deep, elevating not only his own game but inspiring a unified team effort to overcome the odds and secure a vital win for his home nation.