Doncic gets boost from bundle of joy

Despite arriving in Boston and Philadelphia at 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively, and with some players not falling asleep until 4 a.m., the Lakers salvaged a 2-1 record during their difficult three-game, four-day Eastern Conference trip.

- By Tuuc Nui NcuyEN

With wins over the Toronto Raptors and the 76ers, the Lakers (17-6) maintained second place in the West entering the knockout stage of NBA Cup action on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs.

When your job requires so much travel, everyone develops their own hacks. For Jaxson Hayes, it’s a meticulously planned two-and-a-half-hour nap before every game.

Luka Doncic, for one, could have used one of those this week.

He’s a girl(s) dad

Doncic rubbed his weary eyes, ran his hands through his hair and blinked hard as he tried to piece together the details of the last week. New parents know the feeling.

After missing two games while in his native Slovenia for the birth of his second daughter, Doncic rejoined the team Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. Doncic posted a photo on social media of new baby, Olivia, wearing a pink sweater with a heart emoji covering her face.

“Two girls, they’re going to make my life hell for sure, I know that,” Doncic half-joked. “I'm going to be their security after I retire. All jokes aside, it’s the best thing in the world, I’m just blessed.”

Doncic thanked the Lakers for allowing him to spend time with his family during a major life milestone during the season and his manager, Lara Beth Seger, for helping him set up the travel. He left L.A. on Monday after the Lakers finished back-to-back games against the Phoenix Suns, flying 12 hours to Slovenia, which is nine hours ahead of L.A.

It was a roller coaster, Doncic said. With a relieved smile, he added: “But it was worth it.”