First big cheers, then off to the bench: Basketball superstar Luka Doncic was celebrated on his return to Madrid, but instead of a big gala, the fans only saw a short appearance.
Due to a calf strain, the Dallas Mavericks playmaker was only able to play for the first 4:59 minutes of the preseason game with his former club and EuroLeague champion Real Madrid on Tuesday. He then had to watch as the Texans lost their third test of the new NBA season 123-127. After all, Doncic put up nine points in a short time.
Doncic sustained the injury during training on Monday, after which the decision was made to rest the 24-year-old for most of the guest appearance in the Spanish capital. The 2.01 meter tall giant looks back on a strenuous summer after being eliminated in the quarter-finals with the national team at the World Cup in Asia.
The Slovenian, who played for Real from 2012 to 2018 and won the EuroLeague there, among other things, did not want to miss out on playing in his former adopted home. Before the game there was a tribute from Real President Florentino Perez, while Doncic was celebrated by the supporters.
Meanwhile, Maximilian Kleber managed no points and four rebounds in 15 minutes of playing time for the Madrilenians, who are already back in full league and EuroLeague rhythm. The Mavericks had previously lost two tests against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi. The final test will be next Saturday against the Detroit Pistons before Doncic and Co. face the San Antonio Spurs at the start of the season on October 26th.