Luka Doncic returns to action, plays first game since April
Amid an offseason filled with discussion about the Lakers' future, specifically around LeBron James and Luka Doncic, we were finally able to see what we might expect out of one of them next season.
Most expect LeBron James to stay with the Lakers for now, but either way, Doncic is the future and the player that the Lakers are focusing on.
Doncic is representing his home country of Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025 this summer and was in action on Friday in a pre-tournament exhibition game.
Doncic plays first game since Timberwolves playoff series
Doncic and Slovenia kicked off their first of several exhibition games in August, taking on Germany on Friday.
This was Luka's first game in a few months, and it was the first chance to see him play since he went viral for his impressive offseason body transformation.
Friday's exhibition game also comes less than a week after he inked a lucrative contract extension with the Lakers.
Against Germany, Luka logged 24 minutes, with a stat line of 19 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 5/11 FG, 3/6 3P and 6/13 FT.
MORE: Luka Doncic reveals shocking sacrifice made this offseason in weight loss journey
Germany did come up with a win in the game, beating Slovenia 103-89.
Magic forward Franz Wagner led the way for Germany, scoring 18 points on efficient shooting, in under 18 minutes logged.
This was the first of six games that Slovenia will play from now until August 21.
They'll face Germany again (August 10), Lithuania (August 15), Latvia (August 16), Great Britain (August 19) and Serbia (August 21).
It's unclear what Doncic's status will be in these upcoming games.
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