Luka Dončić debuts newlook physique after offseason of shedding weight and adding muscle Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY October 22, 2025 at 3:15 AM 0 Luka Dončić debuts newlook physique after offseason of shedding weight and adding muscle LOS ANGELES — Luka Dončić is set to embark on his first full season...
- - Luka Dončić debuts new-look physique after offseason of shedding weight and adding muscle
Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY October 22, 2025 at 3:15 AM
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Luka Dončić debuts new-look physique after offseason of shedding weight and adding muscle
LOS ANGELES — Luka Dončić is set to embark on his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers. And he's set to do it with a slimmed-down physique.
After revealing over the summer in a Men's Health cover story that he had trimmed down with a strict dietary regiment and workout schedule, Dončić took the floor here at the Crypto.com Arena for his typical pregame routine, donning a black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants.
Dončić and the Lakers tip off their season Tuesday, Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors as part of NBA's Opening Night. The Lakers will be asking Dončić to carry a heavy load early on; the team will be without star forward LeBron James, who will miss the first few weeks with a sciatica issue.
Perhaps because of James' injury, it was Dončić who addressed the crowd here prior to tipoff.
"Hello, everyone, I just wanted to say thank you for the support, and let's go Lakers," Dončić said to a round of cheers.
That means the Warriors — and L.A.'s opponents for the season opener — might opt to double Dončić and force the ball out of his hands. That's why the Lakers will be looking to capitalize on quick baskets using Dončić's passing ability, heaving "throwahead" passes up the court off of rebounds.
"He's so good at the throwahead to get his teams involved early," Lakers coach JJ Reddick told reporters Tuesday a little less than two hours before tipoff. "Rui (Hachimura) does a great job, especially early in games of just getting one or two easy baskets. …
"I've talked with him a little bit about this, but as a coach, you have to be willing to live a little bit with the daring — you just have to. If it's part of a player's DNA, you just have to be willing to live with it."
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during warmsups prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during warmsups prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21, 2025 in Los Angeles.
">Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during warmsups prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Oct. 14, 2025.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Oct. 14, 2025.
">Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Oct. 14, 2025.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) react after a basket against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Feb .10, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Xfe64mZ class=caas-img data-headline="See Luka Doncic's summer transformation" data-caption="
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) react after a basket against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Feb .10, 2025.
">Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) react after a basket against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Feb .10, 2025.
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts to a foul call during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center on Nov. 4, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OVjQD79 class=caas-img data-headline="See Luka Doncic's summer transformation" data-caption="
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts to a foul call during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center on Nov. 4, 2024.
">Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts to a foul call during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center on Nov. 4, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/OVjQD79 class=caas-img>Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates with teammates after a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 18, 2024
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates with teammates after a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 18, 2024
">Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates with teammates after a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 18, 2024
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1 / 11See Luka Doncic's summer transformation
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during warmsups prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game in 28 appearances with the Lakers last season.
The Mavericks reportedly traded Dončić in a stunning, blockbuster deal last February, in part, because of concerns about his conditioning and physique.
That's why Lakers brass have to be optimistic about his commitment to his trimmed-down physical shape. Dončić, 26, also played for Slovenia this summer during the EuroBasket circuit, continuing to work on his body.
"Luka, he just feels more like himself on a daily basis," Lakers coach Reddick said before the game. "And that's a good thing for our team."
Clips of Dončić's new-look physique were posted on social media, during the summer prior to the Men's Health feature story. In those photos, Dončić appeared to have shed weight and added muscle.
"Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better," Dončić told the magazine then.
Dončić worked closely in the offseason with a training staff that that included a physiotherapist and nutritionist and said he wanted to be in the best shape of his life for the 2025-26 season.
His dietary regimen included fasting nearly 16 consecutive hours a day while consuming a high-protein, low-carb nutritional program that included whey protein shakes. His workout plan included weight lifting, resistance-band routines, agility and on-court drills.
Contributing: Jeff Zillgitt
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic debuts new physique as Lakers open 2025-26 NBA season
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