September 7, 2025
Sait YARDIMCI
Riga, Latvia
Events & Team Building

Luka Magic Strikes Again: Doncic’s 42 Points Send Slovenia to the Quarter-Finals

EuroBasket 2025 – Round of 16 • Riga, Latvia

Doncic Drops 42; Slovenia Survive Into the Quarter-Finals

Slovenia 84

Italy 77

Slovenia book a Quarter-Final date with Germany

Game Narrative

Luka Magic from the Opening Tip

RIGA (Latvia) – FIBA EuroBasket 2025 delivered another unforgettable night as Luka Dončić once again showcased his brilliance, scoring 42 points to lead Slovenia past Italy 84–77 in the Round of 16. The 2017 champions survived a furious Italian comeback to secure their place in the Quarter-Finals, where they will face reigning World Champions Germany.

Slovenia stormed out of the gate with Dončić scoring 10 points in a decisive 15–2 run, building an early 32–13 lead. Despite taking a hard fall just 36 seconds into the contest, Dončić never lost rhythm—exploding for 22 first-quarter points and reaching 30 by halftime.

Italy clawed back from 19 down, trimming it to six in the third and then to 78–77 with 1:40 left. Dončić closed it with calm precision, sinking four straight free throws to ice the game.

Slovenia’s poise under pressure and Dončić’s control of tempo ultimately kept their tournament dreams intact against a relentless Italian response.

Game Flow & Turning Points

15–2 Burst

Dončić scores 10 in a lightning start; Slovenia seize control.

32–13 (Q1)

Dončić Avalanche

22 in the first quarter, 30 by halftime despite an early hard fall.

SLV up big at half

Italy Rally

Deficit slashed to single digits; within six late in the third.

Within 2–3 possessions

One-Point Game

Italy close to 78–77 with 1:40 remaining.

1:40 to play

Ice in the Veins

Dončić drains four consecutive free throws to seal it.

Final: 84–77

Star of the Night: Luka Dončić

Player of the Game

Luka Dončić

Guard • Slovenia

42 Points (11/19 FG • 5/11 3PT • 15/16 FT)

10 Rebounds

3 Steals

4×30+ Consecutive games at EB25

47 EuroBasket career-high (2022) – now within 5

Klemen Prepelič

Support

11 PTS Backcourt spark

Alen Omić

Impact

7 PTS 7 REB (bench)

Glass & Grit

Total Rebounds

38 (SLV)

32 (ITA)

Second-Chance Points

15 offensive boards → 16 points

Italian Effort

Simone Fontecchio

22 Points

Relentless Push

From -19 to 78–77 with 1:40 left

Quarter-Final Streak Ends

Run of 4 straight last-8 appearances is over

Key Statistics

Rebounds

38vs32

Second-Chance

15 ORB→16 PTS

All-Time vs Italy

9–2

The Bigger Picture

This result sends Slovenia to their eighth Quarter-Final in the last nine editions of EuroBasket—a remarkable standard of consistency at the elite level.

Luka Dončić continues to cement his legacy as the tournament’s most dominant force—leading in scoring, efficiency, and steals. Germany present the biggest challenge yet, but with Luka Magic in this form, Slovenia remain true contenders.

Milestone Maintained

Another last-8 berth powered by a 42-point masterclass

Next: Germany

Reigning World Champions—Slovenia’s toughest climb yet