Luka Doncic set to battle for one last time to get a berth in Olympic 2024

NBA star Luka Doncic is gearing up for a critical opportunity to secure a spot for Slovenia in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Alongside other basketball stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, and Nikola Vucevic, Doncic faces a do-or-die situation in the upcoming winner-take-all qualifying tournaments.

These tournaments are held in Spain, Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Greece, and will determine the final four teams that will join the 12-team men's basketball field at the Paris Games. The structure of the qualifying tournaments involves four sites, each hosting a six-team competition. The games will run through July 7, with the winners from each location earning their tickets to Paris.

Each tournament starts with two groups of three teams, playing a round-robin format from Tuesday to Thursday. The top two teams from each group will then advance to the semifinals on Saturday, with the championship games taking place on Sunday.

Luka Doncic set to face Greece

In Greece, the stage is set for a potential showdown between Luka Doncic's Slovenia and Antetokounmpo's Greece. Both teams are expected to make it to the finals of their group, setting up a highly anticipated clash. Doncic, who recently played through injuries for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, is demonstrating his commitment to leading Slovenia to the Olympics, emphasizing the importance of this tournament for him.

Spain, another key location for the qualifiers, will not only be battling for a spot in the Olympics but also aiming to make history. Spanish legend Rudy Fernandez is eyeing a record sixth appearance in the Olympics, an achievement that adds extra motivation for the team.

What is the schedule for other teams?

Spain's Group A consists of Lebanon and Angola, while Group B features Finland, Poland, and the Bahamas. The Bahamas team is particularly notable with NBA talents like Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon, making them formidable opponents.

In Latvia, the host team faces a challenging draw with Georgia, the Philippines, Brazil, Cameroon, and Montenegro in their bracket. Nikola Vucevic's presence will be crucial for Montenegro's chances to advance.

Puerto Rico will witness fierce competition as well, with Group A including Mexico, Ivory Coast, and Lithuania, and Group B featuring Italy, Puerto Rico, and Bahrain. Italy's experienced roster, led by Danilo Gallinari, and the host team's advantage could make for interesting dynamics in this bracket.