Now that the LA Lakers’ season is over, Luka Doncic is staring at a long offseason ahead of him. It appears, though, that he has made up his mind on what he’ll be prioritizing this summer.
Shortly after the Lakers’ Game 4 loss on Monday, Doncic posted an Instagram story to talk about the dilemma that he faced between his personal life and his basketball obligations.
“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.”
Luka Doncic then made it clear that his family takes precedence over his national team duties in the next few months.
“I have given everything to representing Slovenia and I 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.”
Slovenia is set to compete in the July window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers. They are matched up against Estonia on July 3 and Sweden on July 6.
Doncic, who led all scorers in last year’s EuroBasket, has now elected to skip these games as he focuses on the custody battle with his ex-fiancee Anamaria Goltes.
“It’s Very Frustrating”: Luka Doncic Opens Up on Absence From Lakers Lineup Amidst Playoff Run
Still, it was a bitter pill for Luka Doncic to swallow as he and the rest of the Lakers dealt with the reality of getting swept by the OKC Thunder.
Speaking to reporters after the Lakers’ 115-110 loss, Doncic got candid on his absence due to a Grade 2 hamstring injury.
“It’s very frustrating. I know some people wanted me back, but obviously, I wasn’t close to clearing.”
Though LeBron James and Austin Reaves did what they could to keep the Lakers afloat, the onslaught of the defending champions on both ends of the floor was too much to overcome.
