By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic shared his feelings after elimination from the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google, a few months after his season and career were massively impacted by a blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’m really glad I am here. I had a great couple of months. I am still trying to learn about everything, about the city, about the team. I am just trying to process everything,” the Slovenian superstar mentioned in a postgame press conference, following a season-ending losing effort opposite the Minnesota Timberwolves in crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.
Over recent days, the 26-year-old combo guard was also dealing with an illness, leading into a scary back injury in Game 5. “It’s not good at all,” Doncic updated his status, commenting on his brief exit before halftime.
“I think I didn’t play the way I should. I think as a team, we didn’t play the way we could. But congratulations to Minnesota. They played a hell of a series. They were the better team, honestly,” he recapped the Western Conference Quarterfinals series.
Shifting focus from the 2024-25 to the 2025-26 season, Doncic recalled establishing a stronger connection with Kyrie Irving after their first Preseason together at the Dallas Mavericks.
“It’s tough not having practices and that stuff, but I’m excited about the preseason, having the opportunity to learn about each other,” Doncic previewed preparations for the next NBA Regular Season.
In contrast, LeBron James seemed open to considering a potential retirement.
“I don’t know. I don’t have the answer to that,” the 40-year-old forward replied to a question about how long he will continue playing, “It’s something I’ll sit down with my family, my wife, and my support group and kind of just talk through it and see what happens. And have conversations with myself on how much longer I want to continue to play. I don’t know the answer to that right now, to be honest. We’ll see.”
“I’ve got a lot to think about myself,” he added after a question about the 2025-26 roster of the Lakers, “I don’t know where I stand right now.”
In addition to the Lakers potentially reshaping the squad for head coach JJ Redick, the offseason picture for Doncic will likely feature participation in the EuroBasket 2025 with Slovenia.