After a long flight that spanned continents, oceans, and time zones, Luka Dončić arrived in Ljubljana to welcome his second daughter, Olivia.
Birth of Olivia
Olivia arrived early Saturday morning. Dončić posted a photo on Instagram of the newborn lying on a soft pink blanket, swaddled in a pink top with white pajamas, with pink heart emojis over her face. The caption simply read “Olivia” followed by pink heart emojis.
Dončić’s fiancé, Anamaria Goltes—whom he has known since both were 12—now has two daughters. Their firstborn, Gabriela, is two years old and already a proud big sister. At 26, Luka has another reason to sprint through airports with a goofy grin and a phone full of newborn photos.
Return to the Lakers
After missing two games that the injury report listed as “personal reasons,” Dončić re‑joined the Lakers in Philadelphia ahead of the matchup against the 76ers. Teammates greeted him with hugs and jokes, a welcome back for a superstar who had left for the most meaningful reason imaginable.
Fatherhood Reflection
Following the final buzzer, Dončić spoke about his new role. He did not discuss Sixers’ defensive coverages, the Lakers’ 16‑6 start, or his league‑leading 35.3 points per game, nearly nine assists, nearly nine rebounds, and over a steal per night. Instead he said:
> “It’s amazing, man,” he said, the smile uncontainable. “Another daughter. I’m so happy. I know they’re going to stress me out when they get older, but I already told them—I’m gonna be their security after I retire.”
The line showcases the protective charm only a girl dad can muster—half‑joking, fully sincere. It will follow him for years because it reveals exactly who he is: a superstar who still sees life’s biggest moments happening far from the court.
The Lakers held steady without him, splitting the two games he missed, but his gravitational pull remains strong. On the floor he orchestrates everything—JJ Redick’s offense humming through his hands—while the Lakers surge near the top of the Western Conference standings with early‑season confidence that feels earned and sustainable.
Off the floor, Dončić becomes something even more compelling: a father twice over now.
Key Takeaways
- Dončić announces the birth of his second daughter, Olivia, via a heartfelt Instagram post.
- He missed two games for personal reasons before returning to the Lakers in Philadelphia.
- After the game, he reflected on fatherhood, promising to be his daughters’ security after retirement.
Luka Dončić’s journey from the Lakers’ facility to a Slovenian hospital, back to the court, and into fatherhood underscores the human side of a basketball superstar.
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