By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic will face his former team Real Madrid as a leading member of the Dallas Mavericks.
Previewing the preseason edition of the NBA Global Games featuring Madrid and the Mavs in WiZink Center on Tuesday, he discussed the possibility of returning to the team based in Spain’s capital.
“I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for Real Madrid. I learned everything here: speaking, studying and playing basketball. I’d like to take a lot of teammates with me: Rudy, Llull, a coach, a physio,” he mentioned, “I’ve got a lot of great memories and I’m happy to be back. If I return to Europe one day, I’m sure it will be to Real Madrid. That’s 100%.”
Doncic, 24, developing in Madrid reached the status of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion and Final Four MVP in 2018, a few months before being drafted by the Mavericks. He recently shared his joy for the exhibition game in Madrid.
“I’ve been looking forward to this game for months now and it’s going to be one of the most special games of my career, maybe the most. It’s going to be really exciting and I’m looking forward to getting out there on the court,” reiterated the Slovenian superstar.
The team coached by Chus Mateo notched a win in the opening round of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, sits at 4-0 in Spain’s Liga Endesa, and captured the 2023 Supercopa Endesa championship in a perfect start across seven official games.
“Real Madrid haven’t lost a game yet, it’s still early in the season, but they look very good,” noted Doncic.
Two losses in the United Arab Emirates
Falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves twice in Abu Dhabi paints the current picture of the 2023 NBA Preseason for the Mavs. Doncic averaged 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest over 18 minutes per contest in the losing efforts.
From the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games to Europe and Madrid, his side will return home and wrap up the preseason schedule against the Detroit Pistons on October 20.