Luka Doncic returning to LA ahead of Lakers media day with somber memory

The Lakers season is around the corner and Luka Dončić is returning to Los Angeles. Dončić, who led the league in scoring last season (33.5 points) and was third in assists (8.3) is expected to leave Europe for Los Angeles on Sunday ahead of Media Day on September 28, according to Sportklub. On Sunday, the Lakers superstar took to Instagram with a heartbreaking post.He posted images of his two daughters (Gabriela, who was born November 2023, and Olivia, who was born last December) in Slovenia spending time with him, but recognizing he had to leave them at home to return to America.Dončić finished fourth in MVP voting last season and helped the Lakers finish fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 53-29.

He had a stunning March in which he averaged 37.5 points, 8 rebounds and 7.4 assists, carrying the Lakers to a 15-2 record over that period, before he suffered a strained hamstring on April 2 that sidelined him for the entire postseason.Dončić, who said doctors told him he’d have to miss eight weeks with the injury, is expected to be healthy when training camp opens September 29. Dončić had input on the Lakers’ roster moves this offseason, including re-signing Austin Reaves (four years, $180 million) and adding center Walker Kessler (four years, $130 million). The Lakers completely overhauled their roster, including adding Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Cameron Carr. For the first time in his career, Dončić hosted a minicamp in Slovenia last month to help build team chemistry.

He paid for the team to come out to his home country for four days, where the Lakers played basketball, golf and did sightseeing activities. Since the Mavericks stunningly traded Dončić  to the Lakers in February 2025, they were eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, followed by being swept by the Thunder last season. Dončić, who has never w...