Luka Doncic Faced With Challenge as Armani’s $11.7B Deal Results in Cancar, Nebo’s Absence From EuroBasket | NBA News Times of India

Luka Doncic found himself in a difficult position as a move by Giorgio Armani, valued at $11.7 billion, led to Slovenia’s loss of Vlatko Cancar and Josh Nebo for the EuroBasket clash. This news comes amid Doncic’s triumphant return to his home court at Slovenia’s Stozice Arena after his NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he received a warm welcome from fans.

Doncic criticized Olimpia Milano, Armani’s Italian basketball club, for refusing to release Cancar and Nebo from duty, explaining that the Lakers allowed him to play, but Milano did not. Despite Slovenia’s Basketball Federation offering a counter-medical opinion, Milano remained firm in their decision.

The absence of Cancar and Nebo had a sizable impact on Slovenia’s performance during their first EuroBasket warm-up match against Germany. Despite Doncic’s top-scoring performance of 19 points, Slovenia struggled due to Germany’s superior depth of players, experiencing a loss of 103-89.

Slovenia, expecting to face Germany again, along with Lithuania in further warm-ups, will have to try to overcome their loss of key players before the EuroBasket championship begins.