A brand new-look Luka Doncic will return to pre-season coaching with the Los Angeles Lakers after spending the summer season engaged on a rigorous health regime in Croatia.
Despite being one of many main lights within the NBA since debuting in 2018, the 26-year-old has confronted common jibes over his physique and lack of conditioning.
It was even cited as a purpose for an injury-plagued 2024-25 season that noticed Doncic play a career-low 50 video games both facet of a blockbuster mid-season commerce to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles have been eradicated from the post-season within the first spherical by the Minnesota Timberwolves with Doncic reportedly contacting his supervisor the day after to tell her of his need to return to Europe and enhance his health.
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My complete physique seems to be higher – Doncic
The outcomes have been exceptional with Doncic looking visibly leaner in a series of photos published alongside a lengthy interview in Men’s Health Magazine.
Doncic mentioned: “Just visually, I’d say my complete physique seems to be higher.”
The Slovenian was prevented from enjoying basketball for a month and as a substitute was subjected to prolonged fitness center work in addition to a gluten-free, low-sugar weight loss plan that features intermittent fasting and excessive ranges of protein – at the least 250 grams per day.
“Every summer season I strive my greatest to work on various things,” he added to Men’s Health. “Obviously, I’m very aggressive. This summer season was just a bit bit totally different, you already know. It type of motivated me to be even higher.
“This 12 months, with my staff, I feel we did an enormous step. But that is simply the beginning, you already know. I must maintain going. Can’t cease.”
Different kind of court docket for Doncic this summer season
He has additionally loved enjoying different sports activities akin to pickleball and padel.
He mentioned: “At the start, it was arduous. I can’t be with out basketball. But after I was slightly child, I performed a number of sports activities.
“There have been a number of offended moments, too, once we would lose. But I didn’t lose a lot.”
Doncic will hope to make a major contribution to the Lakers this season.
He has two years left on his contract, together with a participant choice for 2026-27.