Luka Doncic Surprises Lakers Fans with Gaming News
All-Star Luka Doncic plays only one video game in his spare time — Overwatch. The Los Angeles Lakers guard revealed his game of preference while interacting with fans at the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, where he made a surprise visit in the days leading up to the 2025-26 season.
“Overwatch — it’s the only game I play,” Doncic told a fan at the facility when asked if he’s a fan of Minecraft, the popular sandbox game played by hundreds of millions.
Luka Doncic Sponsored by Overwatch
Doncic has admittedly been playing Overwatch, a team-based shooter, for a decade. In a recent interview with Complex, Doncic revealed that he has maintained a top-500 ranking in Overwatch 2 and currently sits around 400th place on the U.S. leaderboard.
The Slovenian star further revealed that he struggles to sleep after playing video games, and hence disconnects from everything after a nightly gaming session.
“I think I’ve been playing this game since 2017, something like that,” he said. “So I played a lot of games to get there for sure. I really can’t sleep after games, so I just go play video games. So I just disconnect a little bit.”
Doncic’s affinity for Overwatch landed him a sponsorship deal with Blizzard Entertainment, which led to a billboard being placed outside the American Airlines Center, the home of the Dallas Mavericks, his former NBA team. As part of the deal, gamers can earn Doncic-related rewards and custom Stadium builds inspired by him.
“Many have seen how competitive I am on the basketball court, but you may not know that I’m just as competitive when I’m playing Overwatch,” Doncic said in a press release
Play like Luka. Win like Luka. ⛹️♂️🔥
Score BIG with Luka Dončić’s Cassidy Build in Stadium and earn up to 77 Loot Boxes when you complete his in-game event challenges now through Sep 15 🏟️
pic.twitter.com/94A6kh2y5G— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) August 26, 2025
If there’s one thing Luka Dončić is good at, it’s WINNING no matter the arena 🏆
Get the play-by-play on the "Play Like Luka" event and start racking up your rewards when you jump into Stadium and Season 18 today ⛹️♂️
pic.twitter.com/PH7SzX1y8e— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) August 26, 2025
Lakers Enter New Era
According to ESPN’s Arash Markazi, the Mavericks franchise was unhappy about the placement of the new Doncic billboard and requested for its relocation.
“The Luka Doncic Overwatch signage in Dallas wasn’t without controversy from the Mavericks side apparently,” he reported on August 27. “According to sources, Mavericks ownership made them move the original location of the billboard. They felt that it was too close to the arena. They weren’t happy.”
The 2025-26 NBA season is viewed as the official start of the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles, following six seasons when LeBron James was the face of the franchise. With James, 40, entering possibly the final year of his stint in Los Angeles, the Lakers have repeatedly hinted that they’re moving on from “The King” and into a new era.
Doncic’s Lakers own the sixth-shortest odds to win the 2026 NBA title, per ESPNBet, and the fourth-shortest odds to represent the West in the NBA Finals.
Roki Sasaki’s postseason fate in limbo as Dodgers manager remains uncertain
Dodgers Manager Leaves Roki Sasaki’s Postseason Status Uncertain
As the postseason approaches, the fate of Roki Sasaki remains shrouded in ambiguity, much to the intrigue of Dodgers fans. The organization’s manager has refrained from making any definitive statements regarding whether the talented pitcher will secure a spot on the postseason roster.
Sasaki, known for his electrifying pitching style and impressive statistics throughout the season, has emerged as a focal point for the Dodgers’ playoff aspirations. However, the manager’s recent comments reflect a cautious approach, emphasizing that decisions will hinge on various factors, including performance metrics, health, and team dynamics.
In recent interviews, the manager noted, “We’re still evaluating all options as we get closer to the postseason. Roki has shown great potential, but we need to ensure that he fits into our overall strategy.” This level of discretion underscores the competitive nature of roster selections as teams strive for championship glory.
As the Dodgers continue to fine-tune their lineup, all eyes will be on how Sasaki’s situation plays out. The anticipation surrounding his potential inclusion in the postseason roster adds an extra layer of excitement for fans and analysts alike, eager to see how this young star could impact the team’s playoff run.
