Luka Doncic Leaves International Game With Apparent Injury

No NBA team wants to see its players get hurt during non-league games in the offseason. But when it's a superstar on the level of Luka Doncic, panic could set in when they see anything remotely resembling an injury, like this:

Luka Doncic had to leave the game early in Slovenia's exhibition matchup vs. Greece after appearing to bump knees with Emmanouil Chatzidakis.

Hope he's okay 🙏pic.twitter.com/ewi3zxgE69

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 4, 2023

Doncic appeared to bump knees with another player while playing for Slovenia in an exhibition match vs. Greece on Friday.

After trying to fight through a screen, Doncic was bent over in obvious pain as he began hopping on one leg and favoring the knee at the top of the key. He left the game "as a precaution" and didn't return for the second half. 

But Dallas Mavericks fans can breathe an apparent sigh of relief, as ESPN's basketball insider Tim MacMahon says sources tell him that the injury should be of “no concern” while fellow insider Marc Stein says that Doncic was planning to sit out the second half of this game all along.  

The Mavs' superstar had a career year last season, averaging 32.4 points (2nd in the NBA), 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game, while registering 10 triple-doubles. 

Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports