Ever wonder how dedicated NBA teams are to their stars? The Lakers flew 6,000 miles to cheer on Luka Doncic at EuroBasket! Witness his incredible, record-breaking performance as Slovenia battled Poland. Did their presence inspire ‘Luka Magic’ enough, or was the outcome still a surprising upset?

The sporting world recently turned its attention to the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers, where a significant presence from the Los Angeles Lakers organization underscored a profound commitment to its future cornerstone, Luka Doncic. High-ranking officials, including Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka, made a remarkable transcontinental journey to Poland, demonstrating unwavering support for their superstar.

In the vibrant atmosphere of Katowice’s Spodek Arena, the Polish national team squared off against Slovenia in a hotly contested first-round FIBA EuroBasket 2025 game. Despite the formidable home crowd, the Lakers contingent was conspicuously present, their journey of over 6,000 miles and 12 hours highlighting the franchise’s dedication to fostering a strong relationship with Luka Doncic.

General Manager Rob Pelinka articulated the purpose of their unprecedented trip to The Athletic, emphasizing the organization’s desire to make a strong statement of support for Luka Doncic’s international endeavors. He stressed the importance of backing a player who serves as the face of the Los Angeles Lakers, particularly in his commitment to representing his home country on the global stage, reinforcing team camaraderie.

However, the game itself proved to be a challenging affair for Luka Doncic and the Slovenia National Team. Despite a valiant effort, Slovenia succumbed to a 105-95 defeat against a determined Polish team. Doncic, ever the focal point, delivered a spectacular individual performance, leading all scorers with an impressive 34 points, including a dominant 14-point first quarter.

Beyond the team’s loss, Doncic etched his name into the annals of EuroBasket 2025 history with several remarkable achievements. He became the first player to record 30-plus points, five or more assists, and five or more steals in a single EuroBasket game. Furthermore, his 17 successful free throws were the highest tally by any player in the tournament since Juan Carlos Navarro’s 18 in 2005.

The context of the match highlighted Poland’s strength, a team that had previously upset Slovenia in the EuroBasket 2022 quarterfinals. Slovenia faced significant challenges with key players like Josh Nebo, Vlatko Čančar, Jaka Blažič, and Zoran Dragić sidelined, placing an immense burden on Luka Doncic to single-handedly carry the team’s hopes in the high-stakes FIBA competition.

This prestigious NBA Basketball tournament annually showcases Europe’s elite national teams, drawing attention from scouts and fans worldwide. Alongside Luka Doncic, other prominent NBA stars such as Kristaps Porziņģis, Nikola Jokic, and Alperen Sengun participated, underscoring the high caliber of international talent on display. Doncic’s unwavering resolve to represent his country in future international competitions remains a testament to his dedication.

Pelinka further reiterated Luka Doncic’s exceptional physical condition and profound commitment to rigorous training throughout the summer. He conveyed the immense value the Los Angeles Lakers placed on witnessing this dedication firsthand, asserting that the transoceanic journey was entirely justified to stand alongside their pivotal player.