The step back threes and jawing at the referees is part of the Luka Doncic experience at the Crypto.com Arena. The Slovenian is the latest Los Angeles Lakers superstar who has the franchise keys for the foreseeable future. Amid the bright lights and celebrity culture, here is actually what the 6x All-Star is behind the scenes.

“If people knew what Luka is like for all of us, they would have the highest possible opinion of him. Just like we have,” a source close to Luka stated to Andrej Miljkovic, a veteran Slovenian sports journalist for Ekipa. “Whether it’s representatives of minorities or people who get a job despite some physical handicap. Whoever it is, Luka as a person and on the human side is a story that is even bigger than what he represents as a basketball player and star.”

For them, Doncic isn’t just a franchise player or a global icon. He’s someone whose impact off the court carries just as much weight as what he does during a game. His life and personality aren’t built around flash or image. They’re grounded in something much more personal.

“I can’t even say nearly everything – but believe me, what he gives us with his kindness, warmth, and understanding is worth the most. We feel like we are his. He really gives us that feeling with everything. And when I say ‘we won’ when he wins or his team wins, it’s not just an expression. I really feel that way. Because we are his and we win with him, he lets us know that every day.”

Fans and even staff members feel seen and valued. This kind of bond is not built by accident. Despite leaving the Dallas Mavericks, he is still loved by his former franchise’s fans. He’s emotional on the court, expressive, and fiercely competitive. But off it, the now Lakers superstar is grounded, approachable, and deeply connected to those around him.

It’s a contrast that can easily get lost through highlight reels or post-game interviews.

Luka Doncic continues to pull through amid personal issues

Earlier this month, sad news broke on a personal front that Luka Doncic and his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, had separated. They were together for the last decade and are now in a custody battle over their two daughters. Asked about the situation this week, Doncic says he’s been finding “peace” in playing basketball.

“That’s life, I don’t know what to say. But that’s my job, so I have to be here. They pay me a lot to play for them, and also basketball is giving me some kind of peace when I play a game,” Doncic told the media. The Lakers Nation was quick to tally his stats since the separation, and he’s been averaging 37 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists per game since the news about his divorce broke.

The Lakers are also 6-0 in that span, leading NBA fans on social media to hail “Custody Battle Luka.” This six-game run from Luka Doncic, where he is averaging 37.8 points per game, is the highest by a Laker since the late Kobe Bryant, who averaged 39.5 points during a similar stretch in 2011-12. While the issues have arisen, the Slovenian has put his head down and focused on basketball amid the chaos.