Luka Dončić Declares Start of Lakers Championship Run in Full-Page Advertisement

Luka Dončić addressed Los Angeles residents in a Wednesday newspaper advertisement, promising a title pursuit ahead of the Lakers' season opener.

Lakers star Luka Dončić purchased a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday to announce the start of a championship pursuit. The message to the city arrives as the Lakers prepare to open the regular season against the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. Dončić, who joined the franchise via a 2025 trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, vowed to provide maximum effort every night without excuses.

ESPN reports the Lakers roster has undergone significant changes since their 2020 title victory. In addition to the Davis trade, the team saw LeBron James depart during the recent offseason to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Dončić characterized the current lineup as a special team and specifically requested fan attendance and vocal support at games to help the roster deliver on local expectations.

Writing that every player dreams of holding the trophy, Dončić noted the importance of winning for the Los Angeles fan base. The advertisement concluded by emphasizing that the team cannot achieve its goals alone, calling for the public to bring their energy to every matchup this season.