Luka Doncic breaks his silence: the truth about his injury after scoring 42 points against Italy

Luka Doncic led Slovenia with 42 points in their victory over Italy, but his impressive performance was marked by a physical setback, raising questions about his availability for upcoming games.

A hit that didn’t stop the star

In the first quarter, Doncic collided with Italian point guard Alessandro Pajola, forcing him to briefly leave the court for medical attention.

Despite the pain, the Los Angeles Lakers star returned to dominate Slovenia’s offense, making 16 of 17 free throws and hitting five of eleven three-point attempts.

He also grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded three steals, proving his commitment to victory outweighs any physical discomfort.

Luka Doncic shines through pain: Slovenian star dominates EuroBasket despite injury

“Yeah, it hurts,” Doncic admitted after the game. “I need therapy now. But everything will be fine.” His words offered some reassurance to fans, though uncertainty remains regarding his readiness for the quarterfinals.

Key contributors in Slovenia’s 84-77 win included Klemen Prepelic with 11 points, and Aleksej Nikolic and Alen Omic with seven each.

Generational bucket getter. 🪣

Luka Doncic has entered the TOP 50 of all-time #EuroBasket scorers. pic.twitter.com/cgyFRxSls2

— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 7, 2025

This win sets up a high-stakes quarterfinal clash against Germany, led by Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner, scheduled for Wednesday, giving Luka Doncic some time to recover.

Doncic shines despite the pain: Joining EuroBasket’s elite

Doncic performance not only secured Slovenia’s victory but also marked a historic milestone. By scoring 42 points against Italy, he entered the top 50 all-time scorers in EuroBasket history.

With a career total of 515 points in the tournament, he now ties legendary Yugoslavian player Ivo Daneu from the 1960s.

The historical leaders remain Pau Gasol (1,183 points), Tony Parker (1,104 points), and Dirk Nowitzki (1,052 points). Yet, Doncic rapid ascent on this list highlights his growing legacy in European and global basketball.

With Germany looming as the next challenge, fans are closely watching Luka Doncic recovery, whose talent and determination continue to dazzle, even when his body demands a pause.