The hardwood rivalry between Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis is officially getting a new chapter, with Slovenia set to face Latvia in a friendly on Saturday. Porzingis didn’t hold back when talking about his former Dallas Mavericks teammate. “It’s a friendly game. If we meet in the quarterfinals or semifinals, why not use it as extra motivation?” Porzingis told Latvian outlet Sportacentrs. “We’ll still give it our all in a friendly game at home.” This isn’t just a friendly matchup in Riga. It’s a warning shot from the Latvian unicorn.

The timing of this showdown couldn’t be more intriguing. Ever since their partnership in Dallas dissolved in 2022, the narrative around Porzingis and Doncic has been murky. NBA fans have speculated about lingering tension, especially after Chandler Parsons claimed “there’s an actual beef there” on Run It Back. But Doncic quickly brushed that off. “I’ve talked to Chandler Parsons maybe twice in my life, so I don’t know how he would know that,” he told reporters. “Me and KP have a good relationship. I don’t know why people say otherwise.”Porzingis, on the other hand, stayed quiet about the past. “It didn’t work out,” he said when asked about Dallas. “I’m not even thinking about that right now. I’m thinking about the job ahead.”

On Saturday, the Slovenian national team, led by Doncic, arrives in Riga to face Porzingis and the Latvian squad in what’s billed as a friendly. But if Porzingis’ tone is any indication, don’t expect a casual run. “I have a normal relationship with Luka Dončić. Of course, things didn’t go well in Dallas. That’s in the past,” Porzingis said. “Since then, we’ve met many times — the Celtics and Mavericks met in the finals last year. As for Europe, I haven’t played against him since 2017.”

That last meeting, in the 2017 EuroBasket quarterfinals, was unforgettable. Porzingis dropped 34 points, Doncic had 27, and Slovenia squeaked out a 103–97 win. Both players walked away with elite efficiency ratings and the respect of European basketball fans. Now, both NBA stars are set to face each other on August 16th, before the European Championship, which will begin just two weeks later.

And while this weekend’s matchup might not count for standings, but the stakes feel personal. With Porzingis gearing up to battle Doncic on the court, but that’s not all, he also made headlines this week by sharing what could come after basketball. 

Kristaps Porzingis’ Surprise Retirement Plan

“MMA is a sport that’s very close to my heart. It’s number one for watching,” Kristaps Porzingis revealed in his Sportacentrs interview. “It’s something I get fired up about, so I decided to join a new MMA project. Everything is still in process — once we get closer to the final result, I’ll be able to share more.” He laughed off the idea of diving into MMA immediately, but made it clear that it’s more than just a passing interest. “This summer, I played a bit of tennis and padel tennis— great sports for the summer, especially outdoors,” he said. “I’ve also tried MMA, but I promised one of the clubs I represent that I wouldn’t pursue it during my basketball career. I’m saving myself for an MMA career after basketball (laughs).” At 7′ 2″, Porzingis entering the octagon would be one of the most fascinating post-NBA career moves ever seen. 

The Hawks star is entering the final stages of a decade-long NBA career defined by elite shooting, shot-blocking, and frustrating injuries. After winning a title with Boston in 2024 and recently being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, his next chapter is as uncertain as it is intriguing. His comments come at a moment when the Celtics are adjusting to Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury and trimming their roster to escape luxury tax penalties. Meanwhile, Porzingis has moved south to join Trae Young in Atlanta, a fit that could revitalize his role as a post-up, floor-stretching big. While his move to the Hawks raised eyebrows, it’s this MMA plan that flipped the script entirely. 

When Porzingis and Doncic take the floor in Riga this weekend, it’ll be a measuring stick. One is still the face of a franchise in Dallas. The other is plotting an endgame that might take place in the cage instead of the court. And while both insist there’s no beef, Saturday will show if either still has something to prove.