Luka Dončić and Slovenia suffered a significant blow on Saturday as they were ousted from contention for the Paris 2024 Olympics by Greece, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite Dončić’s standout performance with 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, Slovenia succumbed to a decisive 96-68 defeat.
Reflecting on the loss, Dončić acknowledged Greece’s superiority, emphasizing their aggression and cohesive team play, particularly praising Antetokounmpo and Greece’s well-rounded roster. Slovenia’s journey in the tournament was marred by their second group stage loss, ultimately sealing their fate of missing out on this year’s Olympic Games after finishing fourth in Tokyo 2020, a historic achievement for the nation.
Dončić’s participation in the Olympic qualifiers followed a demanding season in the NBA, where he propelled the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance in over a decade, only to fall short against the Boston Celtics. Despite the disappointment in the Finals, Dončić’s individual season was remarkable, marked by career highs and notable achievements including leading the league in scoring and securing his fifth consecutive All-NBA First Team and All-Star selections.
In three group stage games, Dončić showcased his prowess with a total of 83 points, 29 rebounds, and 25 assists, albeit shooting below his usual efficiency from the field and beyond the arc. The loss to Greece not only ended Slovenia’s Olympic aspirations but also underscored the competitive challenges faced by international teams striving for Olympic qualification.
Looking ahead, Greece advances to the semifinals to face Croatia, with the winner securing a coveted spot at the Paris Olympics. For Slovenia and Dončić, the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics serves as motivation moving forward, amidst Dončić’s ongoing quest to solidify his legacy as one of the game’s elite talents.
