The skinny version of Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic showed more pop in his step in his highly anticipated first game since his much-hyped body transformation.
But his emotions got over him in a foul-infested 24-minute stint for Slovenia in a 103-89 home loss to Germany on Aug. 8 in an exhibition game that was part of their preparation for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
The Slovenian star picked up a technical foul early in the second quarter when he had a minor scuffle against ex-Lakers forward Isaac Bonga.
Doncic took exception to the Germans’ mocking celebration following an in-your-face Christian Anderson slam dunk. Doncic pushed Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner, then Bonga confronted Doncic.
By halftime, Doncic had already five fouls.
Jet-Lagged Luka
Doncic finished with 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-for-6 from the 3-point line, three rebounds and five assists before sitting out the entire fourth quarter.
“I still feel a bit jet-lagged, but I think it will pass soon,” Doncic said, leading to the exhibition game. “I probably won’t play the whole game, but I think there will be enough minutes. Depends on how my body feels. I haven’t played 5 on 5 in a long time. It’s a completely different rhythm. But I feel good.”
They will have a rematch on Aug. 10 in Germany, but Doncic’s status is unclear. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin previously reported on “NBA Today” that Doncic will accompany the team to Germany but may not play.
Lakers Star’s Staggering Weight Loss
According to Slovenian Pop TV, Doncic lost 31 lbs. since the Lakers’ season ended at the end of April. Doncic has shed an average of over 10 lbs. per month.
In a magazine cover interview for Men’s Health, Doncic revealed that he’s doing 16 hours of intermittent fasting six days a week since the season ended.
This offseason, every day but Sunday, Doncic fasts from 8:30 PM to 12 noon the following day. That’s 16 hours with nary a calorie, with the first workout of each day performed at the end of the fasting window.
As part of his new diet, Doncic consumes only a gluten-free, low-sugar diet, including “at least 250 grams of protein and one almond milk–fueled shake a day.”
Doncic has also incorporated plant-based foods into his new diet. He took a month off from playing basketball, which he admitted was hard at first, to give his mind and body the much-needed time to recover.
His offseason regimen will continue into the season, Doncic said, which leads him to believe he will be much better than the out-of-shape version of himself who averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 28 games for the Lakers last season.
“I would just say a little bit of everything,” Doncic told reporters on what a skinny version of himself will bring to the Lakers next season. “Obviously, a little bit faster. But I don’t know, just trying to help the team condition-wise. Obviously, playing a lot of minutes, a lot of games, so I think that’s going to be the best for me.”
Doncic’s first game since he took on the new diet and lifestyle change showed a glimpse of that.
