The Los Angeles Lakers are barely preparing for the upcoming NBA season, yet a new reality is already setting in for fans and executives alike: Luka Doni‘s unwavering devotion to Slovenia could mean frequent injury scares every summer.
The 26-year-old superstar recently gave Laker Nation a fright during a EuroBasket 2025 preparation game against Latvia, where he collided with a teammate and briefly went down.
Fortunately, the injury proved minor, but it was enough to highlight what insiders are calling the “new normal” of the Doni era in Los Angeles.
Why Luka’s case is different From past Lakers stars
While international play is nothing new for NBA icons, Doni’s situation stands apart. ESPN L.A.’s Lakers Talk host Andy Kamenetzky warned fans that Doni‘s dedication to representing Slovenia means summer injury scares will likely be an annual occurrence.
“This is the first of many potential scares that could take place during EuroBasket, and it is a reminder of what Lakers fans are going to have to get used to during the Luka era, or the Lakers, because we are not used to a superstar Laker playing for his country non NBA basketball as often as Luka will,” Kamenetzky explained.
He contrasted Doni with other Lakers legends such as Kobe Bryant,LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, who participated in Olympic basketball, but only once every four years.
Doni, by comparison, competes not only in the Olympics but also the FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket tournaments. That workload creates an unprecedented level of risk for Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and the franchise’s long-term planning.
Though stars like Pau Gasol proudly played for Spain while donning Lakers purple and gold, Kamenetzky noted that none were as central to their roster as Doni is expected to be. His importance to the team magnifies the concern around his heavy international schedule.
The deeper meaning behind Doni’s dedication
For Doni, suiting up for Slovenia is about more than basketball, it’s an emotional and cultural responsibility. Slovenian teammate Klemen Prepelic offered insight into just how much it means to him.
“A lot. I mean, just the fact that last year he played the NBA finals, he lost. He was like a mummy,” Prepelic recalled. “And he come next day to national team. This is. Next day. This is unbelievable, I mean, I believe also in this great chemistry. The group of guys makes him feel good to come to joke, to have a good time.”
Beyond the camaraderie, representing Slovenia provides Doni with a rare mental break from the relentless pressure of being one of the NBA’s most scrutinized stars.
It also allows him to play a central role in expanding basketball’s reach in his home country, something he takes immense pride in.
Despite the concerns in Los Angeles, it’s clear Doni has no intention of slowing down his international commitments.
For the Lakers, the challenge will be balancing their superstar’s deep loyalty to Slovenia with the franchise’s goal of keeping him healthy for the grueling NBA season ahead.
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