NEED TO KNOW
Luka Dončić is celebrating good news off the court!
The Los Angeles Lakers star missed Thursday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors due to the birth of his second child with fiancée Anamaria Goltes, according to multiple reports.
Dončić, 26, and Goltes, 27 — who also share two-year-old Gabriela — reportedly welcomed another daughter in Slovenia on Thursday, Dec. 4.
The perennial NBA All-Star did not travel to Toronto with the team and officially was listed out for “personal reasons.”
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty
The Lakers — led by Austin Reaves’ 44 points and 10 assists — nevertheless dispatched the Raptors, 123-120, in a game that was notable for another reason.
LeBron James’ 1,297-game streak of scoring 10 or more points came to an end when the star only scored 8 points in 36 minutes.
When asked about “what feelings” he had about the streak ending, the 40-year-old James joked: “None. We won.”
As far as Dončić is concerned, his first full season with the Lakers has had plenty of high notes so far.
Dončić is averaging 35.3 points per game this season, and triple-doubles or near-triple-doubles each night, with 8.9 assists and 8.9 rebounds a game.
The 16-5 team overcame James’ early absence due to injuries and has been riding high thanks to Reaves’ breakout performances as well as contributions by other role players including forward Rui Hachimura and center Deandre Ayton, who they obtained in the offseason.
Dončić will miss Friday’s game against the Celtics and coach JJ Redick did not give a timetable for his return — as the guard now adapts to man-to-man coverage in his personal life.
In August, the former Dallas Maverick spoke to PEOPLE about adjusting to life in LA since last year’s blockbuster trade. He called out the weather and the ocean as being top-notch.
But Dončić had the highest praise for fatherhood.
“I mean, it’s the greatest thing in the world,” he said.
