Doncic powers Slovenia to Olympic basketball quarterfinals

Slovenia's Luka Doncic (C) takes a shot past Japan's Yudai Baba (L) in the men's preliminary round group C basketball match between Slovenia and Japan during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 29, 2021.
Aris Messinis/AFP

SAITAMA – NBA star Luka Doncic scored 25 points as Slovenia comfortably beat Japan, 116-81, to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday.

Dallas Mavericks guard Doncic also grabbed seven rebounds and got help on scoring from Zoran Dragic, the older brother of Miami Heat player Goran, who chipped in 24 points.

Rui Hachimura did his best to keep Japan in the game with 34 points and seven rebounds.

Doncic had scored 48 points in Slovenia's opening victory against 2004 gold medalists Argentina.

Spain can also book their place in the quarter-finals if they beat Argentina later Thursday.

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