When photos of a noticeably thinner Luka Doncic emerged this past weekend, it felt like Groundhog Day all over again.
Nearly every offseason, photos of a slimmer Doncic emerge to nullify the discourse surrounding his poor conditioning and fitness levels. Who could forget the videos of Doncic running up a flight of stairs before the 2023-24 season? That video was meant to scare the rest of the NBA, no? Also, let’s not forget when Doncic’s trainer spoke glowingly about his new workout and regimen before the 2022-23 season.
Still, as Doncic’s NBA season begins to wind down, much is said about his lack of conditioning — every single year. This recurring pattern raises the question: Are American restaurants or fast food to blame?
Former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal had a rather interesting take on the matter.
“You know what’s crazy? If you watch him play with his national team [over the summer], he always looks thinner,” O’Neal told the “Nightcap” podcast. “Then he comes back to the United States, and it’s like he’s eating yeast rolls and pasta.”
Podcast host Shannon Sharpe agreed with O’Neal’s take.
“If you look at Europeans, they’re not as big as Americans. There is something about the food,” Sharpe said.
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith believes the 82-game gauntlet of an NBA season could be preventing Doncic from staying in shape.
“It’s hard to maintain good habits during a season,” Smith said. “In the offseason, you don’t have to travel, so your workout regimen is on point and you’re more disciplined with your diet.”
Doncic’s Lakers teammate, Markieff Morris, provided more context on why it’s harder to stay in shape during an NBA season on “First Take.”
“You’d think we’re in better shape during a season, but when you’re eating hotel foods, getting in at 3 o’clock in the morning in different cities, you have to eat at 4 o’clock in the morning and then go back-to-back. All that stuff takes a toll on your body,” Morris explained.
It’s worth noting that many NBA players travel with personal chefs and nutritionists for this specific reason. They prefer eating foods prepared by their team rather than dining out at restaurants.
So, will Groundhog Day strike again in the 2026 offseason?
According to Slovenian outlet SportKlub [h/t BasketNews], Doncic is determined to ensure that “Skinny Luka” isn’t just a fad, but a reality.
Only time will tell if Doncic’s so-called “body transformation” lasts into March, April and May of 2026.
