OKINAWA, Japan — Australia is heading to the contention exit of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup upon absorbing a 91-80 defeat over Luka Doncic and Slovenia on Friday, Sept. 1, within Okinawa Arena.
Doncic was on the cusp of going foul-out but still made himself carry Slovenia on his back with 20 points, seven boards, and six assists to avenge his nation’s 2020 Olympic bronze medal defeat against the Boomers.
Mike Tobey supplied the focal help for Doncic with his 18-point, 12-rebound double-double. Both Gregor Hrovat and Klemen Prepelic had 10 apiece.
Slovenia broke away at the final period, suffocating Australia with a double-digit hammer in courtesy of a collective attack led by Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks star’s icy step-back jumper to put his team up by 19, 88-69, with 1:56 left put the nail in the coffin of the helpless Boomers squad that is now eliminated from continuing to the competitive stage for the Naismith Trophy.
Josh Giddey willed Australia on a losing effort as he tallied a game-high 25 points with eight boards and four assists.
Slovenia and Germany now hold a 4-0 record in the Group Phase, making themselves automatically advance to the Final Round of the World Cup, which will be held in Manila.
Together with Georgia, the Boomers will settle for a 17th-24th classification to conclude their World Cup activities, but the Oceania squad will still land in the 2024 Paris Olympics upon having a greater tourney record over New Zealand.
