Luka Doncic‘s remarkable EuroBasket 2025 campaign came to a heart-wrenching end on Wednesday as Slovenia faced a 99-91 defeat to Germany in the quarterfinals.
Despite Doncic‘s stellar performance, amassing 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, his efforts were overshadowed by contentious officiating that has sparked widespread debate.
Doncic, who has been one of the NBA stars actively representing his country during the tournament, shared his pride in his team following the elimination.
Posting a photo of his national teammates on Instagram stories, he added a few heart emojis alongside the simple caption: “PROUD!.”
The sentiment captured both the camaraderie and the heartbreak of Slovenia’s exit.
With the win, Germany secured a spot in the EuroBasket semifinals, where they will face Lauri Markkanen and Finland.
Meanwhile, Turkey, led by Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun, will meet Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece in the other semifinal matchup.
A game of inches and allegations
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Slovenia initially surging to a 32-21 lead in the first quarter.
However, momentum shifted as Germany clawed back, entering the final period with a slim deficit.
The turning point came when Doncic, already burdened with foul trouble, picked up a technical foul early in the game.
Later, he was seen making a “money gesture” towards the referees, a move that many interpreted as a sign of frustration with the officiating.
After the game, Doncic confronted the referees, handing one of them the ball and saying, “Shame on you!”
This outburst was a rare display of emotion from the usually composed Los Angeles Lakers star.
Slovenia’s head coach, Aleksander Sekulic, echoed Doncic‘s sentiments, criticizing the referees for what he perceived as inconsistent and biased calls.
He pointed out the disparity in fouls, with Slovenia accumulating 31 compared to Germany’s 24, suggesting that the officiating played a significant role in the outcome.
Fans rally behind Doncic
The controversy has ignited a firestorm among fans and analysts alike. Many took to social media, accusing the referees of favoring Germany and undermining Slovenia’s efforts.
One fan commented, “What an absolute disgrace to the game of basketball. One of the worst officiated games I’ve seen in 20 years,” while another said they felt the game was rigged in Germany’s favor.
Doncic‘s contributions highlighted his role as Slovenia’s leader and primary offensive weapon throughout the tournament.
Despite the loss, his ability to perform at a high level under international pressure will surely boost his confidence heading into his first full season with the Lakers.
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