Luka Doncic’s Rollercoaster Months
Luka Doncic, the star of the Lakers, has had quite the eventful couple of months. Beyond dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that sidelined him from the postseason, the more pressing matter seems to be his breakup with his long-time fiancée, Annamarie Goltes.
Reports indicate that the split was sparked when Goltes filed for child support and legal fees in California. This came as a shock to many. Their first daughter, Gabriela, was born in the U.S. in November 2023, while their second daughter, Olivia, entered the world in Slovenia the following month.
“I love my daughters more than anything. They will always come first in my life,” Doncic expressed in a statement. “As we pursue joint custody, I’ve had to choose between traveling to play for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer. It’s been incredibly tough not being able to see them regularly over these past eight months.”
Following the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, Doncic took to his Instagram. He announced he wouldn’t be playing for the Slovenian team this summer, prioritizing time with his daughters instead.
In the midst of these personal challenges, Doncic still managed to shine on the court. He recently shared two snapshots on Instagram, providing a glimpse into his personal life. In one, he’s seen holding Olivia while they play with Gabriela, and in another, he’s out for a stroll with Gabriela on his shoulders.
On a professional note, Doncic was named to the All-NBA First Team for the sixth time in his career, marking him as one of only five players to achieve this by the age of 27. He averaged an impressive 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals during the season, along with setting a record for the most 3-pointers in a season in Lakers history.
Although Doncic was making strides in the MVP race, he unfortunately missed the final stretch of the season and all postseason games due to his injury. He ended up fourth in MVP voting, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder taking home the award for the second year in a row.
