Mark Cuban on Luka Doncic: It's always a joy because you see joy in his game

Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks representatives flew to Germany to support Dirk Nowitzki at his national team jersey retirement ceremony. But they also managed to make the game of the Mavs superstar Luka Doncic in the EuroBasket 2022 opener vs. Lithuania. “I love just watching Luka play, because he loves to play so much. It’s always a joy because you see joy in his game,” Mark Cuban told BasketNews at halftime of Slovenia’s game.
Source: Donatas Urbonas @ BasketNews

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Here’s part of Dirk Nowitzki’s thank you to Mark Cuban, the only part of his speech in English.
There were a whole lotta Mavs highlights, specifically from the championship and his last home game, during the pre-speech montage. pic.twitter.com/SX6sFUFQbQ – 2:38 PM Evan Sidery @esidery
Luka Doncic making it look too easy flirting with a triple-double in Slovenia’s win over Lithuania today. pic.twitter.com/ZsZgBSKph2 – 2:38 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Germany and FIBA spared no expense with lighting and pyrotechnics as Dirk Nowitzki’s No. 14 jersey enters the rafters.
(Peep that shot on the jumbotron of Luka Doncic watching intently, again) pic.twitter.com/izzsZ1bmMN – 2:31 PM Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Luka Doncic takes elbow to the face from Domantas Sabonis in Slovenia’s win over Lithuania on first day of group play at EuroBasket 2022
sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac… – 2:23 PM Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
When you randomly hit the Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and have seconds to think of a few short questions. That’s the beauty of FIBA competitions in our job.
Cuban on FIBA Luka Doncic, favorite Dirk Nowitzki NT moment & untold ties with Lithuania: basketnews.com/news-177242-ma… – 2:08 PM Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Players to average at least 24 points, 6 rebounds and 2 made three-pointers per game over the second half of the 2021-22 season:
LeBron, Luka, Tatum, KD and RJ Barrett
end of list. – 2:05 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Here’s the quick recap of Slovenia’s 92-85 win over Lithuania, which kept Luka Doncic perfect in EuroBasket play.
mavs.com/luka-stays-per… – 1:57 PM BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Lithuanian NT coach Kazys Maksvytis tried to motivate Ignas Brazdeikis by telling him to take an autograph from Luka Doncic during the game 👀 pic.twitter.com/f9aHURqrQN – 1:53 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic powers Slovenia to win over Lithuania in EuroBasket tournament opener dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 1:39 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
Jonas Valanciunas: 9 pts (4-10 FG), 12 rbds, 1 blk, 3 tov in Lithuania’s 92-85 loss to Slovenia. Slovenia put him in the PnR a bunch against Luka.
Next up: France on Saturday – 1:29 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Mike Tobey’s back hurts from having to carry Luka today #wahoowa – 1:20 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Slovenia outscores Lithuania 19-7 in the last 6:26 to win 92-85. Luka 14-6-10-3 steals. 6 assist in 4th qtr. Most on P&R work with Tobey (24-8). Next up is Hungary at 1:30 on Sat – 1:20 PM Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Final: Slovenia 92, Lithuania 85
Goran Dragic had 19 points and eight rebounds for Slovenia. Luka Doncic had 14 points, six rebounds and 10 assists.
Domantas Sabonis had 10 points, five rebounds and two assists for Lithuania. Jonas Valanciunas had nine points and 12 rebounds. – 1:20 PM BasketNews @BasketNews_com
While Luka Doncic was the main player on the court, another Slovenian player came in clutch in the fourth quarter.
The favorites take the first win in a battle that captured viewers’ attention the entire 40 minutes 👇
basketnews.com/news-177244-cl… – 1:20 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka with 14 points, 10 assists, six rebounds. Wasn’t pretty but Slovenia starts defense of 2017 EuroBasket title with a 92-85 win over Lithuania. Details to come on mavs.com. – 1:17 PM Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Defending champion Slovenia is now 10-0 in @EuroBasket when Luka Doncic plays. – 1:17 PM Brad Townsend @townbrad
Terrific team win by Slovenia, but make no mistake, Doncic and Dragic willed Slovenia when it most mattered. – 1:16 PM Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Domantas Sabonis called for an unsportsmanlike foul after catching Luka Doncic with an elbow to the face. Two free throws from Luka give Slovenia an 88-81 lead with 1:50 remaining. – 1:10 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka has been hit, raked or poked in the face several times today. Most recently by Sabonis on an arm swing with Slovenia up 86-81 and 2:05 to go. – 1:08 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
The shot isn’t on, the passing is on, esp here in the 4th. Luka with 6 assists in the qtr – 1:05 PM Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes
It’s the middle of the day on a Thursday and I’m watching Slovenia Vs. Lithuania basketball and fully invested. Thanks a lot Luka. – 1:04 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Doncic ha ben smacked/raked across the face 3 times in this game – 1:03 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Luka is absolutely dissecting Lithuania down the stretch. – 1:03 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic is putting on a passing clinic right now. My lord. – 1:02 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Lithuania clings to 81-80 lead over Luka, Slovenia in the final three minutes in Cologne. – 1:02 PM Brad Townsend @townbrad
Slovenia is 5-for-11 on free-throws, including 3-of-6 by Doncic. Seems familiar . . . – 1:00 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Slovenia 69-67 after 3. Has never had a lead larger than 7, and leading despite a somewhat pedestrian game from Doncic. – 12:48 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Three quarters are done in Cologne and Slovenia is up 69-67 on Lithuania. Luka with 11 points, seven assists and Slovenia benefited from two missed Lithuanian free throws in the final second to take the lead into the fourth. – 12:46 PM BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Peak Luka Doncic: dunking on and staring at the opponent 👀
pic.twitter.com/fQvN9MlMr6 – 12:42 PM Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Marc Cuban and Jayson Kidd in Cologne for Luka #Eurobasket pic.twitter.com/0wERQvAtcP – 12:38 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic motioning for refs to call a tech on Lithuania is maybe the most ironically wonderful part of his game. – 12:36 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Pretty clear that Luka and Dragic need to be on the floor together. – 12:30 PM Brad Townsend @townbrad
Oh, my. Doncic is taking over, punctuated by that dunk. – 12:28 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
🚨 Luka dunk with no regard for Ignas Brazdeikis’ pride 🚨 – 12:27 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Luka better get his stuff together soon and pass to the Cyborg. – 12:21 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Huge sequence from Vlatko Cancar to close the 1st half: Saves 2 points with a block at the rim after a Doncic turnover, then gets the and-1 in transition. 6 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts for Cancar at the half. He’s in his usual starting role for Slovenia at EuroBasket. pic.twitter.com/f9Rnm94zWN – 12:08 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Slovenia 51-48 at halftime. Luka 8-2-3 w/3steals.G Dragic 10 Tobey 9. Difference in the game is 9 Lithuania TO/14 pts off TO.Both teams shooting 50%+ Very physical game only 15 total FTs shot. – 12:06 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Other than European free throwers being perhaps even worse than NBA free throwers, not much difference for Luka Doncic in the EuroBasket opener. He’s got 8 points, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds, plus 1 smack to the face from Jonas Valanciunas. Slovenia leads 51-48 at half. – 12:05 PM Brad Townsend @townbrad
Halftime: Slovenia 51, Lithuania 48. Doncic: 8 points, 3 steals, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers. – 12:03 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Players with 20+ PPG before turning 20:
— Carmelo Anthony
— LeBron James
— Kevin Durant
— Luka Doncic
— Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/8zjQ4fjiyz – 12:00 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic allllmost juked Jonas Valanciunas to the floor — until Valanciunas reached out and grabbed Luka’s face to keep steady.
Who knew sweet moves could also be so painful. – 11:48 AM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
High energy 1st qtr. Slovenia-Lithuania tied at 27. Doncic 6 pts 3 steals 2-5 FG. Slovenia 10-19 FG. Lithuania 11-18 FG – 11:36 AM Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Luka did Luka things in the 1st quarter vs Lithuania
6 pts / 2-5 FG / 1 ast / 3 stls
Slovenia – Lithuania 27-27 after the 1st quarter
#MojTim #EuroBasket #BringTheNoise #MFFL – 11:34 AM BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Mark Cuban is in Cologne watching Luka Doncic’s first EuroBasket game against Lithuania 👀 pic.twitter.com/4pXeJPkSWo – 11:22 AM Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis vs. Luka Doncic happening NOW in Lithuania-Slovenia game at EuroBasket. Dates, details, top players, top teams and more
sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac… – 11:21 AM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic hit a 3-pointer on Slovenia’s first possession, and his biggest courtside fan, Mark Cuban, threw his arms up.
Cuban, Nico Harrison, Jason Kidd, Michael Finley and Casey Smith are all front row, across from Lithuania’s bench. – 11:18 AM Brad Townsend @townbrad
2 very early steals by Doncic. – 11:18 AM BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Everywhere Luka Doncic goes there’s always an army of fans 🌟 #EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/5K26mcKcM6 – 11:13 AM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Lithuania’s version of a Green Monster…
Luka Doncic would love nothing more than to shut them up for a second time in 14 months, I think. pic.twitter.com/80Gu5OIVgY – 11:09 AM Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Mark Cuban, Jason Kidd, Nico Harrison and Michael Finley are among the Mavericks’ contingent in Cologne to watch Luka Doncic play for Slovenia Dirk Nowitzki get his German number retired. – 11:06 AM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
10 minutes to tip. If Luka and Sloevnia rebound the way they did vs Germany, they’ll be in big trouble vs Valenciunas, Sabonis and Lithuania – 11:05 AM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Pleased to report Luka Doncic takes his last-minute warmups as seriously with Slovenia as he does with the Mavs. – 10:53 AM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
The most consistent thing about Luka Doncic: He always takes time to sign autographs pregame — doesn’t matter the country, fans’ jerseys, NBA arena, whatever.
Makes even more of an effort when there’s kids around. pic.twitter.com/1Weoo5KzuS – 10:37 AM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Bookmark this for all of EuroBasket!
One hour until Luka Doncic and Slovenia officially start their repeat quest.
Here’s how and when to stream: dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 10:17 AM Tom Ziller @teamziller
Will Luka, Giannis and Jokic play in the biggest international basketball tournament possibly EVER next summer? Depends on how players you’ve never heard do in qualifiers this November and February.
A primer on the state of play for FIBA World Cup bids: ziller.substack.com/p/the-current-… – 8:50 AM Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
The Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and head coach Jason Kidd will attend Dirk Nowitzki’s No. 14 German national team jersey retirement ceremony in Cologne on the opening day of the EuroBasket 2022.
More: basketnews.com/news-177225-ma… – 8:45 AM BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Goran Dragic doesn’t think Luka Doncic’s emotions will be a problem 🗣 #EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/qpjS3o1b0Z – 8:19 AM Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Sacramento Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis will face Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic in marquee matchup between Lithuania and Slovenia at EuroBasket 2022.
sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac… – 9:50 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Here’s a quick primer to brush up on EuroBasket 2022, which opens early Thursday morning. We’ll have all the results of Luka Doncic, Tyler Dorsey and other Maverick connections.
mavs.com/eurobasket-tut… – 7:40 PM Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
#Eurobasket2022 MVP odds have been posted: L.Doncic, N.Jokic and G.Antetokounmpo all co-favorites at+400. E.Fournier is +750. Anyone else is 11-1. – 4:30 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Let’s talk 🐐 stuff
Most Europeans consider Dirk Nowitzki the GOAT because of his NBA+FIBA success — even though Giannis and Jokic have more NBA MVPs already.
But Luka Doncic looks on track to surpass them all, and another EuroBasket is the next step: dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 4:12 PM

More on this storyline

“Coming out here is great because it’s one thing when he plays for Mavs, and the whole another thing when he represents his country. I’m happy to see everybody from Lithuania, people from Slovenia and just all the excitement it brings,” Cuban said. -via BasketNews / September 1, 2022 Cuban revealed that he had mixed feelings watching Doncic fighting against Lithuania in the EuroBasket 2022 opener. “What you don’t know is that I’m 25% Lithuanian. My grandma is from Darbenai. I got to root for Luka, but there’s a part of me that if it’s not Luka, I’m cheering for Lithuania,” Cuban smiled. -via BasketNews / September 1, 2022 Callie Caplan: Luka Doncic didn’t do interviews after his game, but he’s back in sweats at the court now, sitting with the Mavs’ brass for Dirk Nowitzki’s jersey retirement ceremony. -via Twitter @CallieCaplan / September 1, 2022