By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Entering his first training camp with the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic is aiming, alongside his teammates, to be in the best possible shape at the top of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season.
“We just got started. Obviously, it’s a work in progress. Some people are not practicing, some are,” he described after the third Preseason day.
Following a quad injury on the first day of training camp, German teammate Maxi Kleber was among the sidelined players. Also, LeBron James, due to thigh discomfort, Marcus Smart, due to left Achilles tendinopathy, and Adou Thiero, due to left knee swelling, sat out Thursday’s practice and will miss the preseason opener opposite the Phoenix Suns in Acrisure Arena on Friday.
“We just talked about today, not just physical shape, mental shape too, so it goes both ways. Both are very, very important,” continued Doncic, referring to talks with head coach JJ Redick about his path to the Regular Season, shortly following a stint with the senior national team of Slovenia in EuroBasket 2025.
“Probably take a little bit slower than the usual,” added the Ljubljana native, “I had a busy summer, I think a month, a month and a half I was with the national team. So, it was kind of a lot, but that got me ready for the Preseason and obviously the Regular Season. For me, I think it was really helpful.”
Following exhibition games on the Preseason schedule, the first official fixture is opposite the Golden State Warriors in crypto.com Arena on October 21.
“I can’t wait,” Doncic talked about launching the Regular Season, “It’s way different than the Preseason. I can’t wait for the real games.”