By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Picking up a third foul early in the second quarter and a fourth early in the third quarter, Luka Doncic still managed to last until the conclusion of the key game between Slovenia and Australia, pushing his side to the next round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
“I trust my teammates,” the Dallas Mavericks superstar replied to a question about dealing with foul trouble in Okinawa Arena Friday.
Doncic, 24, the captain of the national team of his country, stayed on the court for nearly 29 minutes. He indeed ended up with 19 points to go with seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block. Slovenia jumping to 4-0 in the World Cup clinched a berth in the Quarterfinals.
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Australia double-teaming him throughout the Group K contest was another topic of discussion in the postgame press conference.
“I think I had two guys on me in every possession,” he mentioned jokingly rejecting occasionally facing two opponents in offense, “I think that was great. That is how we got all the open looks.”
His side will face Germany on Sunday, before traveling from Japan to the Philippines to compete in the knockout stage of the tournament. The winner will secure the top seed of the group forcing the losing side to settle with the second seed.
“I am really proud of how we played today. Everybody together. We just stayed together no matter what,” Doncic summed up the team effort against Australia.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL