Lakers star Luka Dončić confirms split, says he’s fighting for custody of two daughters
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LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić said Tuesday he has ended his engagement to longtime partner Anamaria Goltes and is now involved in a custody dispute over the couple’s two daughters.
“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,” Dončić said in a statement released to ESPN. “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.”
Petition filed in California
Earlier Tuesday, TMZ reported that Goltes, 27, submitted a petition in California seeking child support and attorney fees. Sources told ESPN the filing occurred in a state where one daughter spent only three months last spring and the other has never visited. According to those sources, Dončić was unaware the petition had been lodged.
Individuals familiar with the matter added that Dončić, who signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers in August, has consistently covered all expenses for his children “without limitation.”
Timeline of the relationship
Dončić, 27, and Goltes have known each other since childhood and began dating in 2016. He proposed in July 2023. Their first daughter, Gabriela, was born in November 2023 in the United States while Dončić was a member of the Dallas Mavericks. After his trade to Los Angeles, their second daughter, Olivia, arrived in December in Slovenia.
Hospital incident in Slovenia
Dončić missed Lakers games against the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 4 and the Boston Celtics on Dec. 5 to be present for Olivia’s birth in Slovenia. On Dec. 6, police were called to Kranj Maternity Hospital after a disagreement between the couple over bringing Gabriela back to the United States. A police report reviewed by ESPN stated officers “did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor.” Dončić left the hospital without further incident and returned to Los Angeles later that day.
He has not seen Goltes or their daughters since, sources said. Speaking after the Lakers’ game in Philadelphia on Dec. 7, Dončić described the trip as “a lot” and “a roller coaster.”
Legal action in Slovenia
On Feb. 26, Dončić filed an interim injunction with Slovenian courts seeking immediate contact with Gabriela and Olivia. Since reporting to Lakers training camp on Sept. 26, he has spent only two days with his children, according to sources.
On-court performance
In his first full season with Los Angeles, the 6-foot-8 guard leads the NBA with 32.5 points per game, along with 8.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds. The Lakers (39-25) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (40-24) on Tuesday night.
Source: ESPN
