Overview

• Owner Jeanie Buss and GM Rob Pelinka flew to Katowice to attend practices and Slovenia’s Group D opener, with Pelinka saying the Lakers have “zero problems” with Dončić playing for his country.
• Dončić was cleared after a right-knee contusion in a warm-up game and returned to action under medical guidance, with the Lakers emphasizing they want him focused on EuroBasket.
• Slovenia fell to host Poland 105-95 despite Dončić’s 34 points, nine assists and five steals, as Poland rode Jordan Loyd’s 32 and Mateusz Ponitka’s 23 in a balanced effort.
• Slovenia is missing multiple rotation players, increasing Dončić’s workload in group play and underscoring the Lakers’ presence to support him on site.
• Pelinka praised Dončić’s improved conditioning from an intensive offseason program and reiterated that Los Angeles views him as the face of the franchise.