JJ Redick is impressed with how fit Luka Doncic is
· Yahoo Sports
For years, Luka Doncic had been criticized for being overweight, out of shape and lacking conditioning. But it looks like those days are over.
Last summer, he was featured on the cover of Men's Health magazine after dropping extra weight and getting into much better shape. He put together an MVP-caliber campaign last season during which he led the NBA in scoring for the second time, and this summer, he again appeared to be in outstanding shape as the new season neared.
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In the Los Angeles Lakers' first preseason game of 2026 on Monday, Doncic played 16 minutes and scored 21 points. While he looked a bit rusty early, he started to find his shooting rhythm and looked solid in the team's 127-103 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Coach JJ Redick commented afterward about how fit Doncic looked after not playing much basketball this offseason.
"He's great physically. The guy worked his butt off all summer on staying in shape and actually ran this summer. He actually did like sprints and stuff. Came into camp in fantastic shape."
Doncic turned down the opportunity to play for his native Slovenia this summer, which allowed him to get some extra rest after the Lakers were swept in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He said after Monday's game that he felt "probably a little more rested" as a result.
The 27-year-old suffered a season-ending hamstring strain on April 2 that forced him to sit out the postseason. He allowed the injury to fully heal, and he's now poised for another monster season with a deeper, more balanced cast around him.
This article originally appeared on Lakers Wire: JJ Redick is impressed with how fit Luka Doncic is