Luka Doncic on biggest difference after getting in shape last summer

In the past, especially after he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, Luka Doncic was criticized by many people for being out of shape. Perhaps in response to that criticism, he changed his offseason regimen last summer.

He improved his diet, lost plenty of weight and got into fantastic shape. In fact, his physical transformation was covered in an article in Men’s Health magazine last summer, and he turned in an excellent MVP-caliber 2025-26 campaign.

During an interview with Jorge Quiroga of Marca that was translated into English, Doncic said that the biggest difference he noticed after getting into better shape was less fatigue.

“Above all, I was less tired. That was the most important thing, and I think I moved around better. The change was very good for me.”

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“Above all, I was less tired. That was the most important thing, and I think I moved around better. The change was very good for me.”

Previously, Doncic had trouble staying in front of his man defensively and getting back on defense. This season, his defense improved to the point where it may no longer be a liability.

Overall, he averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.6 steals a game while shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range this season. He won his second scoring title in three years, was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fifth time in six years and finished fourth in the MVP balloting.

Doncic’s season was cut short by a hamstring strain he sustained in early April. But he has reportedly returned to the same stringent diet that helped him drop weight last summer, and he has fully recovered from his injury, allowing him to start training for next season.