Just as expected, Thursday’s EuroBasket 2025 matchup between Slovenia and Poland turned into a titanic battle between Luka Dončić, a five-time All-NBA First Team player, and Jordan Loyd, a former G Leaguer and 2019 NBA champion.

Dončić was outstanding, scoring 34 points, along with four rebounds, nine assists, five steals, and two blocks, achieving a historic milestone as the first player in EuroBasket history to secure at least 30 points, five assists, and five steals in a single game. However, it was Loyd who truly shined, netting 32 points and hitting seven 3-pointers to lead Poland to a stunning 105-95 win.

Earlier this month, Dončić had raised concerns about his playing status following a frightening tumble during a warm-up against Latvia. Luckily, he escaped serious injury and was cleared to compete for his national team.

Displaying no signs of discomfort, Dončić quickly made his mark in the game, even stealing the ball from Loyd within the first two minutes to initiate his impactful performance. He secured 17 of his points from the free-throw line, capitalizing on numerous fouls called against him.

“It’s Luka’s world. We’re just living in it. 🫳 #EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/aEM8X7HHVj” — FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 28, 2025

Poland took an early lead, remaining ahead for nearly the entirety of the game, largely due to Loyd’s spectacular performance.

Loyd, a Chicago native, was undrafted in 2016 after playing for Furman and the University of Indianapolis, and spent considerable time in the G League and overseas before signing a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors. While he only played 12 games for the Raptors, he made a notable impact.

In one memorable image from playoff history, Loyd can be seen beside Kawhi Leonard as Leonard awaited the fate of his iconic buzzer-beater against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2019 playoffs.

Since moving abroad, Loyd has thrived, competing in multiple countries and earning various accolades. Recently, he acquired Polish citizenship, enabling him to represent Poland, and his commitment is already reaping rewards.

“JORDAN LOYD IS AUTOMATIC (5 triples in 15 mins) ⚙️🦾 #EuroBasket x @KoszKadra pic.twitter.com/VYS1lCeHeG” — FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 28, 2025

Loyd’s impressive shooting display was reminiscent of Steph Curry as he delivered shots from various angles on the court. Had it not been for foul troubles that limited his minutes, he could have easily approached a 40-point night.

Ultimately, Loyd’s scoring performance was a historic mark for Poland at EuroBasket, being the highest since Dariusz Zelig netted 33 points against Czechia in 1987. As a team, Poland executed a remarkable 53.8% from the three-point range, going 14 of 26 from beyond the arc.

Dončić and Slovenia are set to square off against France on Saturday at 11 p.m. ET, while Loyd and the Polish team will face Israel at 2:30 p.m.