The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason began with a personal announcement from Luka Doncic after the team’s second-round playoff exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Doncic revealed on Instagram that he will not play for the Slovenian national team this summer, as he focuses on spending time with his daughters amid an ongoing custody battle with former fiancée Anamaria Goltes. The decision comes shortly after the Lakers were swept 4-0 by the defending champion Thunder.
The Lakers star wrote the message in both Slovenian and English. Doncic said he remains committed to representing his country but explained why family must take priority this offseason.
“I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life,” Doncic wrote. “As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer.”
Luka Doncic Explains Slovenia Decision After Lakers Playoff Exit
GettySlovenia’s guard Luka Doncic
Doncic said the situation surrounding his daughters has been difficult for several months.
“Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months,” he wrote.
The 27-year-old added that missing out on time with Slovenia was not an easy decision, given his long history with the national team.
“I have given everything to representing Slovenia and I am disappointed that I will not be able to play for my country this summer,” Doncic wrote. “But right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority.”
Doncic had been expected to participate in Slovenia’s upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifying window. Instead, he will spend the offseason focused on family matters and recovery after missing the Lakers’ playoff run because of a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered on April 2.
Despite the injury, Doncic finished the regular season as the NBA scoring champion, averaging 33.5 points along with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists across 64 games. Los Angeles advanced past the Houston Rockets in the first round before being swept by Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals.
Following Game 4, Doncic said he wished he could have returned during the postseason.
“If I could be out there, I would be out there 100 percent,” Doncic told reporters after the elimination loss. He also said he expects to be cleared for contact work soon.
Lakers Face an Important Offseason Around Luka Doncic
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
Doncic’s announcement adds another layer to a major offseason for the Lakers after their playoff exit.
The Thunder completed the sweep Monday night with a 115-110 victory at Crypto.com Arena. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points for Oklahoma City, while LeBron James finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds in what could become another pivotal summer for the Lakers star.
Doncic addressed the season briefly after the loss and thanked his teammates despite the disappointing finish.
“Well, I don’t think the season ended the way we wanted,” Doncic said. “Oklahoma is a great team. And I have a lot of respect for what my teammates have done. They fought hard in every game.”
He added, “I think we had a good regular season, and well, I don’t have much to say because we didn’t win obviously, but I’m grateful to all the players.”
Doncic also dealt with major personal changes throughout the season. He and Goltes announced their engagement earlier this year. TMZ previously reported that Goltes filed for child support and attorney’s fees in California.
In a March statement to ESPN, Doncic explained his decision to separate.
“I love my daughters more than anything, and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said at the time.
“Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness, and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”
Luka Doncic Announces Emotional Personal News About His Daughters and Slovenia