Luka Doncic will not play for Slovenia this summer due to a custody battle for his children. His absence comes as Slovenia prepares for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027.
Key points
Luka Doncic will not play for Slovenia this summer
His absence is due to a custody battle for his children
Slovenia is preparing for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup
Doncic suffered a hamstring strain during the postseason
Luka Doncic spent the whole of the postseason in street clothes. The Lakers supernova was felled by a hamstring strain, unable to contribute as Los Angeles fell in Round 2 to the Thunder.
He won't be returning to the floor anytime soon. Slovenia's greatest-ever export, Doncic has rocked his national team's thread more often than most. With the next iteration of the FIBA Basketball World Cup on the horizon in 2027, Slovenia needs all hands on deck in the hopes of qualifying. Doncic won't be available during the summer, however -- late Monday night, he announced that he would not be turning out for Slovenia during its summer matches.
Here's what we know about Doncic's impending absence, a hiatus he imposed amid family turmoil.
Shortly after Oklahoma City completed its four-game sweep over the Lakers, Doncic announced his intention to spurn the Slovenian national team in favor of spending time with his daughters.
Q&A
Why is Luka Doncic not playing for Slovenia this summer?
Luka Doncic is not playing for Slovenia this summer due to a custody battle for his children.
What impact does Doncic's absence have on Slovenia's chances in the FIBA Basketball World Cup?
Doncic's absence could significantly hinder Slovenia's chances of qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027.
When is the next FIBA Basketball World Cup that Slovenia is preparing for?
The next FIBA Basketball World Cup that Slovenia is preparing for is in 2027.
What injury did Luka Doncic suffer during the postseason?
Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring strain during the postseason, which kept him from playing.
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Doncic posted a statement in English and Slovenian to his Instagram story indicating his absence was related to his ongoing custody dispute with his ex-fiancee, Anamaria Goltes.
"I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life," Doncic said. "As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer.
"I have given everything to representing Slovenia and I am disappointed that I will not be able to play for my country this summer. But right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority."
On March 10, 2026, TMZ reported that Doncic's ex-fiancee, Anamaria Goltes, filed a petition against him seeking child support for their two daughters, as well as attorney fees. ESPN's Dave McMenaminreported that the petition was filed in California. Goltes, 27, lives in Slovenia with their two daughters, having moved back to the Central European nation in May 2025.
Doncic confirmed that he and Goltes ended his engagement in a statement provided to ESPN on March 10, citing his inability to see the couple's daughters as the primary reason for the split.
"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," Doncic said. "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."
Doncic and Goltes, a fashion and fitness model, met while they were children. They dated for seven years, with Doncic proposing to Goltes in July 2023. They have two daughters together: eldest daughter Gabriela, born in Nov. 2023 in the United States and youngest daughter, Olivia, born in Dec. 2025 in Slovenia.
Doncic reportedly had "no idea" that Goltes was going to file a legal proceeding against him, per ESPN. Doncic reportedly expressed interest in bringing Gabriela to the United States for a road match against the 76ers on Dec. 7, 2025.
On Dec. 6, Slovenian police were called after a disagreement between Doncic and Goltes ensued at Kranj Maternity Hospital. A police report filed that day and reviewed by ESPN indicated that officers "did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor" perpetrated by Doncic.
Doncic returned to the United States that same day. He called the experience a "roller coaster" while speaking with reporters.
"I don't even know how to describe it. It was a lot," Doncic said. "I was there for the birth of my daughter, so that means everything to me. But it was definitely a roller coaster."
Doncic reportedly spends "without limitation"on his family, according to sources close to the situation. He filed an interim injunction with Slovenia's courts seeking immediate contact with Gabriela and Olivia. ESPN reported that Doncic has seen his daughters twice since the start of Lakers training camp.
Is Luka Doncic divorced?
Doncic is not officially divorced. He was never legally married to Goltes — they were engaged at the time of their separation.
