In the NBA, fans usually focus on big performances, but many also respect players who manage to balance the demands of the game with family life despite the constant travel.
For a long time, Luka Dončić was seen as one of those players who had everything going right. However, recent reports suggest that even Dončić has not been able to escape personal difficulties.
Luka Dončić’s Latest Comment Regarding His Daughters
According to a recent ESPN report, Dončić is dealing with a complicated custody situation involving his partner, Anamaria Goltes. The report from journalist Dave McMenamin states that the Lakers star has not seen his daughters since December.
The situation began during Dončić’s visit to Slovenia in early December. During a scheduled visitation on December 6, he allegedly asked if he could take one of his daughters back with him to the United States before heading to Philadelphia to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers.
What followed was a disagreement between the two sides. Authorities were eventually called to the scene. Police reportedly investigated the matter but found no evidence of wrongdoing. Dončić later traveled back to the United States that same day. Since that visit, according to the report, he has not been able to see his daughters.
“I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement… Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can,” Dončić said as per ESPN.
Dončić and Goltes first met when they were very young during a seaside vacation in Croatia when Goltes was just 12 years old. Years later, their friendship eventually turned into a relationship, and they officially began dating in 2016. Their bond grew stronger over time, and in 2023, both of them got engaged.
In December 2023, they welcomed their first daughter, Gabriela. Two years later, in early December 2025, the couple had their second daughter, Olivia. Dončić even traveled back to Slovenia for Olivia’s birth, which caused him to miss a few games during the season.
“I don’t even know how to describe it. It was a lot. I was there for the birth of my daughter, so that means everything to me. But it was definitely a roller coaster…”
“I got to see my daughter again, my newborn. Coming back, it was kind of hard to leave them behind. But it’s a job, so I got to do it. So hopefully I’ll see them soon,” Dončić said after his return from Slovenia in December.
However, the situation took another turn earlier this week. A report from TMZ revealed that Goltes had filed a legal petition seeking child support and coverage of attorney fees from Dončić. Sources familiar with the situation later told ESPN that the filing took place in California.
Interestingly, one of Dončić’s daughters had only spent about three months in the state earlier in the year, while the other has reportedly never even been there. The same sources also said that Dončić himself was reportedly unaware that the petition had been filed when the news first surfaced.
Despite the off-court situation, Dončić is maintaining his elite performance on the court as he is averaging 32.5 points, 8.4 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game. He has led the Lakers to a strong 39–25 record so far in the league.
Financially, Dončić is set to earn an annual salary of $45,999,660 this season. As per ESPN, people close to the situation have also stated that he has always taken care of his family and continues to cover his daughters’ expenses without any limits. For now, the legal process is still ongoing, and what ultimately happens next remains uncertain.
