OKINAWA (Japan) - The final score might not have suggested it, but the most recent installment of the Dennis vs Doncic duel did not disappoint.

via GIPHY

We won't know for sure if the two had the recent matchup between Germany and Slovenia at EuroBasket 2022 in the back of their heads, but they certainly played like they did.

Both stars were quick to put their teams on their backs and it was clear that it was going to be Doncic and Schroder that would dictate the outcome of this game.

Statistics are from before September 3, 2023

Luka was the one who had a hotter start out of the gates, outscoring the entire Germany squad (11 points) in the first quarter with 12 points. Schroder had a fine start with 5 points and 2 assists, but apparently he was just saving his best for later.

The German star guard started picking up the pace as the urgency picked up for his team, being down by double-digits. As the physicality picked up, Schroder started to pick apart the defense more surgically, picking up three more dimes to end the first half.

It was in the third quarter where the duel intensified and both stars shifted gears to another level. Doncic, scored 9 points in the third quarter, but even that was not enough to withstand the force that was Schroder who exploded for 10 points and 4 assists. Those delicious dimes can off of fancy ball fakes and even thunderous alleyoops which opened up the gap for Germany.

Schroder and his team piled on, building on their impressive swing from being down by as much as 14 points to compiling a lead of as much as 32 points.

This duel is done and dusted for now... but with the Final Phase coming up, maybe we'll see this rivalry revisited once again with even bigger stakes on the line.

Statistics are from before September 3, 2023

Until then, Dennis holds the bragging rights as the victor of this clash.

FIBA