The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a back-to-back on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. However, Friday holds special significance for another reason: it marks the 26th birthday of the newest Lakers superstar, Luka Doncic.
At just 26 years old, Doncic has already had one of the most successful careers for any player under that age. He’s now set to appear in his first back-to-back games since returning from injury, marking his first such appearance as a member of the Lakers following the blockbuster trade.
Before all the action on the court, Doncic received a heartfelt birthday message on Instagram from his soon-to-be wife, Anamaria Goltes. She has attended several of his games since his arrival with the Lakers.
Happy birthday, my love,” she wrote, alongside a picture of the two holding their daughter.
Luka Doncic and Anamarie Goltes
Screen Grab/Instagram
The couple got engaged in July 2023 and welcomed their first child in December of the same year. They first met in Croatia when they were 12, a detail Anamaria Goltes revealed in a 2020 interview, which was two years after Doncic was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018.
“I answered this question like a million times. We met when we were 12 years old at the seaside in Croatia,” she said. “Fun fact: We still have the same group of friends we had at that time. You keep the real ones, am I right?”
Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77)
© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Following his shocking trade to L.A. just over three weeks ago, Goltes handled the situation with grace, offering a candid “Thank You” to the city of Dallas after embracing their family since 2018.