During his year-and-a-half with the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Dončić has endured a pair of serious injuries interrupting each season. Upon his initial midseason trade from the Dallas Mavericks to Los Angeles, Dončić was dealing with a strained left calf, which sidelined him for six weeks, including his first week as a member of the Lakers.
Last season, he suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in early April, missing the final week and a half of the regular season and the entirety of the Lakers’ three-week playoff run. Now, though, it appears he is in the midst of a rigorous offseason training program that reportedly has him in excellent shape, with the 2026-27 season set to begin late next month.
In an article for the Slovenian news outlet SportKlub, Martin Pavcnik wrote the following (h/t must_TATAKAE/Reddit for translation):
“Just this week, Luka entered the final phase of his primary individual training in Ljubljana. After a brief seaside getaway, he resumed work—splitting his time between the weight room and the basketball court. His current routine does not yet include full-intensity basketball drills or contact play. Consequently, unlike in previous years, he has not joined Ilirija’s practice sessions at Tivoli; instead, he and his assistants are training primarily in a smaller gym within the new swimming pool complex.
The primary objective was the complete rehabilitation of all injuries, followed by comprehensive physical conditioning. Anže Maček—Luka’s longtime personal trainer who also supports him in the U.S. (initially in Dallas and later in Los Angeles)—once again spearheaded this effort. They succeeded in their mission; the LA Lakers superstar is in better physical shape than he has been in a long time. His body weight is also within the target range—reportedly hovering around 105 kilograms.
However, the coming weeks and months will provide the true test of the foundation they have built. Dončić—who has increasingly entrusted the management of his life to his agent, Lara Beth—is expected to remain in Europe until September 20th.”
Dončić and the Lakers will hope this regimen keeps him upright for the long haul and prevents any prolonged, injury-related absences. Los Angeles start its regular season Oct. 21 at home against the Golden State Warriors.
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