Luka Doncic, Slovenia Finish 7th at FIBA World Cup with Win vs. Italy
MANILA, Philippines — Luka Doncic played his final game of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup with Slovenia in a matchup against Italy, earning a seventh place finish using an 89-85 victory. Doncic finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals, but had nine turnovers. He shot 8-15 from the floor, 5-10 from 3, and 8-10 on free throws.
In the early going, Italy packed the paint to make it challenging for Doncic to operate in the half-court. It was a struggle for Slovenia to find a rhythm offensively, finishing with 15 points in the first quarter, resulting in a three-point deficit.
A run from Slovenia at the start of the second quarter gave them a lead (20-18), using five points from Zoran Dragic. The momentum after some experimentation took place with young players receiving more opportunity to make plays with Doncic on the sidelines. The results were clunky.
Between a slew of missed shots and a turnover, Slovenia allowed Italy to regain a five-point advantage (31-26), with 5:27 remaining in the second quarter. When Doncic returned, he was used more as a ball screener to open up the offense, making the defense avoid switching. A step-back 3 from Doncic pushed Slovenia's lead to four (42-38), then led to a 42-41 advantage at the break.
Slovenia went on a run after halftime, fueled by Doncic getting to the rim numerous times for finishes, then capping it off by Bine Prepelic converting from beyond the arc. Slovenia achieved a game-high eight-point lead (49-41), prompting Italy to call timeout at the 8:33 mark of the third quarter.
The momentum continued in Slovenia's favor, achieving a double-figure lead at numerous moments — reaching as high as 15 points. Doncic received MVP chants from the crowd as he continued to put on a show, finishing the period with a step-back 3 seconds before the buzzer. Slovenia led 70-60 entering the final period, with Doncic already having 26 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Italy pulled off a major run early in the fourth quarter, cutting Slovenia's lead to just three points (73-70) with 6:26 left in regulation. Slovenia proved unable to turn it around immediately, as Italy went on to tie it up 76-76 with 4:14 remaining in regulation.
After a stagnant stretch of offense resulting in no shortage of turnovers, Slovenia tried utilizing Doncic as the back screener in Spain pick-and-roll to open things up. Slovenia managed to narrowly grind out a victory down the stretch, leading by as many as five points (83-79) with just over two minutes remaining. However, the advantage was short-lived.
Both teams continued to trade blows as Italy tied it up 83-83 with 1:17 left to play, then ultimately took a two-point lead using a putback with just over a minute on the clock. Doncic drew a double team and found a teammate for an open 3-pointer to take a one-point lead, then Slovenia got a stop on defense by taking a charge, then held on to achieve the win.
During the game, Doncic became the first player in 30 years to record at least 200 points, 50 rebounds, and 40 assists in a single World Cup tournament.
Doncic will soon prepare for the 2023-24 NBA season with the Dallas Mavericks as training camp is set to begin on Sept. 27.
