With the Los Angeles Lakers having an off-day prior to their game against the Chicago Bulls, Luka Doncic was among many players who paid a visit to UCLA Health Hospital.
Luka had a number of kids sign and draw on his warm-up shirt, which he then wore during shootaround and warm-ups, via NBA on X:
"Having interactions with them yesterday… It was super amazing."
Luka on wearing a shirt during warmups that was signed by a group of kids he visited yesterday in the hospital 🫶 https://t.co/ivfuVd8CR5 pic.twitter.com/CBVdjLXFij
— NBA (@NBA) March 13, 2026
That shirt seemed to give him some extra motivation as Luka exploded for arguably his best game of the season. Luka dropped a season-high 51 points while nearly finishing with a triple-double as he added 10 rebounds and nine assists while also getting three steals in the Lakers’ 142-130 victory.
Luka spoke about his visit to UCLA Health after the game saying that the interactions were amazing, while really putting things in perspective. He added that whatever problems he may be dealing with in his life aren’t really problems at all.
“Big time,” Luka responded when asked if the visit motivated him. “In the end of the day you go there and you realize that you don’t really have problems in your life at all. Health is a lot. It’s the most important thing in life so you realize you don’t have problems at all. So just having interactions with them yesterday it was super amazing, super chill and I really appreciate those guys.”
Everyone goes through things in life, even the most famous of athletes, but sometimes everyone needs a reminder that things could be much worse. As Luka said, health is the most important thing and seeing those struggling with health issues, but being strong and positive throughout, can really change your outlook on things.
When athletes and celebrities go on these kinds of visits, the focus is usually on how special it is for the children. Additionally, the memories that are created and will be remembered forever. But the children can have an impact on the athletes, as well, and that certainly seems to be the case with Luka.
Trash-talk from Matas Buzelis spurred performance from Luka Doncic in Lakers’ win
There was another motivating factor for Luka Doncic’s unbelievable performance against the Bulls as some trash talk from their young guard Matas Buzelis woke Luka up and spurred him to his great game.
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