Lakers Star Luka Dončić in Custody Battle with Fiancée Over Daughters

Dončić says he's been unable to have his daughters with him in the U.S. during the NBA season.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Lakers superstar Luka Dončić revealed he is in a custody battle with his fiancée Anamaria Goltes over their two daughters and that the couple has separated. Dončić said he loves his daughters more than anything and has been trying to have them with him in the U.S. during the NBA season, but that hasn't been possible, so he recently made the tough decision to end his engagement.

Why it matters

Dončić is one of the NBA's biggest stars, and this personal situation involving his family and custody of his children will likely be a major distraction as he tries to lead the Lakers to an NBA championship.

The details

Goltes filed a petition for child support and attorneys' fees in California, TMZ reported. Dončić and Goltes had been dating for a decade after meeting as teenagers in Slovenia. They became engaged in July 2023, and their daughters were born in November 2023 and December 2025. Dončić moved from Dallas to Los Angeles in a trade for Anthony Davis in February 2025 and agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers last summer.

  • Dončić and Goltes became engaged in July 2023.
  • Their first daughter was born in November 2023.
  • Their second daughter was born in December 2025.
  • Dončić was traded to the Lakers in February 2025.
  • Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers last summer.

The players

Luka Dončić

A 27-year-old NBA superstar who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Anamaria Goltes

Dončić's fiancée and the mother of his two daughters.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Luka Dončić (ESPN)

What’s next

The judge in the custody case will decide on the arrangements for Dončić's daughters in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This personal situation involving Dončić's family and custody of his children will be a major distraction as he tries to lead the Lakers to an NBA championship. It highlights the challenges elite athletes can face in balancing their professional and personal lives.