photo credit: Kevin Jairaj
After a disappointing loss to Bosnia on Monday in the 2022 Eurobasket championship, the reigning champions Slovenia were able to bounce back and defeat undefeated Germany on Tuesday. A game in which the Slovenian superstar, Luka Doncic, poured in 36 points 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. Doncic is one of the top scorers in this year’s championship, averaging 26.6 points per game.
In a press conference, Doncic was asked whom he thinks will have the highest scoring performance in a single Eurobasket game between himself, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jovic. He replied, ” I would bet on Giannis.” When asked why he chose Giannis, Donic said, “Because he’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.”
Luka bets on Giannis 💰#EuroBasket x #BringTheNoise pic.twitter.com/nElqRFB2rH — #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) September 6, 2022
It was a modest answer from one of the best players on the planet. And Doncic’s pick seemed to be correct. Antetokounmpo scored 41 points against Ukraine to become the 3rd player in the 21st century to score 40+ points in a Eurobasket game since Dirk Nowitzki scored 43 points in 2001.
Shockingly, not even 24 hours after Doncic performance against Germany on Tuesday. He followed that up on Wednesday with an even better performance scoring a mind-blowing 47 points in a win against France, 88-82.
Luka history-making performance
It was a remarkable achievement by Luka Doncic. He put on a show and assembled the best individual scoring display the Eurobasket Championship has seen in 65 years. Doncic’s 47 points are 2nd All-Time in top performances in Eurobasket history. Eddy Terrace of Belgium leads the way. He managed to score 63 points against Albania in 1957.
Luka Doncic puts up 2nd-highest scoring performance in #EuroBasket history 🔥 🇧🇪 Eddy Terrace 63 (1957) 🇸🇮 Luka Doncic 47 (2022) 🇬🇷 Nikos Galis 46 (1983) pic.twitter.com/fM4Wb4ug5u — BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) September 7, 2022
The satisfying part of Doncic performance is he shot the ball very efficiently. He went 15/23(54%) from the field. Doncic looked like a man possessed during the first half, whether his driving to the basket, or his patented step-back three. Everything seemed to be going Doncic’s way. What had the fans in Koln going crazy was Doncic’s magical three-pointer over 7′ foot tall Rudy Gobert. As the shot clock is winding down, Doncic drives to his left and heaves up a one-legged, one-handed three-pointer that goes in!
No wonder his nickname is “Luka Magic.”
Luka Doncic hits a one-handed three-pointer going to his left over Rudy Gobert as the shot clock runs out!!!! This audacity of this shot is absurd! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/9adwPLr2tG — Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) September 7, 2022
Slovenia needed every point from Doncic, who scored over half of the team’s points in their win against France. Slovenia has now taken over the #1 position in arguably the most competitive group in the tournament, Group B. With the single-elimination games on the way, one can expect we will see more thrilling performances throughout the championship.
And who knows, Eddy Terrace 63 point record just might be broken.