Lakers’ Luka Doncic makes immediate announcement after playoff exit

Luka Doncic saw the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025-26 season come to an end in street clothes while on the bench, as he could not suit up at all for the Lakers in the 2026 NBA playoffs after suffering a hamstring strain back on the second of April against the Oklahoma City Thunder. On Monday night, all Doncic could do was watch as the Lakers suffered a 115-110 loss in Game 4, bowing out of championship contention after getting swept by the reigning champion.

Doncic, after the Lakers’ season came to an end, wasted no time making a huge announcement. The Lakers star, posting a story on his official Instagram account, announced that he won’t be playing for the Slovenia national basketball team as he shifts his focus towards spending time with his daughters amid a custody battle with his former partner, Anamaria Goltes.

“I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life. 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. Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months,” Doncic wrote.

“I have given everything to representing Slovenia and l am disappointed that I will not be able to play for my country this summer. But right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority.”

Luka Doncic’s statement that he will NOT play for Slovenia’s National Team for FIBA this summer:

“I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life. As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a… pic.twitter.com/rGTrPTy8gN

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 12, 2026

Doncic has chosen to prioritize his family, and for good and justifiable reason. It should also help Doncic to have more time off the court so he could fully recover from his hamstring injury.

The Lakers star has had a trying time off the court, and perhaps focusing his attention towards his family would start the process of mending fences.

The post Lakers’ Luka Doncic makes immediate announcement after playoff exit appeared first on ClutchPoints.