Luka Dončić’s dramatic physical transformation made rounds all summer. But could that transformation translate to international success? The answer came roaring back in Slovenia’s crucial EuroBasket 2025 matchup against Belgium, where Dončić didn’t just deliver — he made history.
How Did Luka Dončić Make EuroBasket History Against Belgium?
After reportedly losing 31 pounds this offseason, the Lakers star decided to play alongside his national team and represent Team Slovenia in EuroBasket 2025. The decision came at a crucial time for his country’s basketball program.
Although Dončić has been putting up impressive numbers so far, Slovenia struggled to win games early on. They dropped their opening contests to Poland and France to start their group stage matchups, leaving fans wondering if they could make it to the knockout stages.
However, Slovenia’s win against Belgium in their most recent match undoubtedly lifted their spirits. Moreover, Dončić made EuroBasket history with this much-needed victory.
NBA fans will agree that the league favors offense. This means that it is significantly easier to score or get foul calls in the NBA than in other European basketball leagues. Although the NBA has several stars who have recorded multiple triple-doubles, only four players had accomplished the same feat in EuroBasket history before Dončić’s performance.
Dončić joined this short list by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in Slovenia’s 86-69 win against Belgium.
The exclusive list included Mateusz Ponitka from Poland in 2022, Rareș Mandache from Romania in 2017, and Toni Kukoč from Croatia in 1995. Stojko Vranković also achieved the feat in 1993, though his spot on the list remains up for debate given that EuroBasket wasn’t recording triple-doubles at the time.
What Made Dončić’s Triple-Double Performance So Crucial for Slovenia?
While there is no denying that Dončić put up a solid stat line against Belgium, fans who watched the game noticed that he struggled to score efficiently. He made just nine of 23 field goal attempts and remained inconsistent from the three-point line, connecting on just two of 11 shots.
Thankfully, his playmaking more than made up for his shooting struggles. The Lakers star set up his Slovenian teammates with easy buckets throughout the entire game, orchestrating an offensive flow that concluded with Slovenia crushing Belgium in a blowout victory.
Luka Doncic today:
26 points
10 rebounds
11 assists
He became the 5th player ever to record a triple-double in Eurobasket pic.twitter.com/OEhRVaX9BV
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 31, 2025
Throughout the three official EuroBasket games so far, Dončić has been averaging 33 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 9.7 assists. He leads the tournament in both points and assists, showcasing the impact of his offseason transformation. Although he had an injury scare during an exhibition game, Dončić appears to be in a remarkable shape.
Unfortunately, Slovenia has no time to celebrate this victory against Belgium. The top four teams from each group qualify for the knockout stages, and Slovenia’s path forward remains challenging. Given that they have already lost to Poland and France, they will have to fight with their backs against the wall in their upcoming matchups against Iceland and Israel.
If Dončić and Slovenia can win both remaining games to finish the group stages with a record of three wins and two losses, that should be enough to secure their spot in the knockout stages. From there, a challenging win streak will determine their chances of emerging victorious in the tournament.
