New Zealand’s Shea Ili tries to guard Slovenia’s Luka Doncic in their FIBA 2024 Olympic qualifying tournament basketball match in Athens. Photo: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP
The Tall Blacks' Olympics dream is over after being eliminated by Slovenia at a qualifying tournament in Greece.
The Tall Blacks needed to lose by no more than 11 to head them off on points differential.
New Zealand were beaten 104-78, leaving all three teams in their group on three points, Croatia and Slovenia through to the semi-finals with a superior points differential.
The Tall Blacks' equation was to lose by no more than 11 to head off Slovenia, but a commanding performance from NBA star Luka Doncic - who hit a triple-double - saw them fail by a big margin.
Slovenia started far stronger with a 12-2 run, but the Tall Blacks rebounded in the second quarter, scoring 30 points. They kept going early in the second half, closing the gap to 49-43.
But Doncic combined with Gregor Hrovat on a 13-0 run, spurring Slovenia to a 62-43 lead midway through the third quarter.
Doncic nailed a three-pointer to push the lead to 77-57 at the end of the third quarter, and the New Zealanders couldn't bridge the gap in the final period.
Slovenia missed out on winning by 29 which would have given them first place in the group. Croatia have that billing, as they head into the semi-finals as first seed.
Doncic scored 36 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Shea Ili had 28 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort, while Izayah Le'afa had 12 as the Tall Blacks tried hard but battled fatigue as Doncic dominated.
