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Lakers’ Luka Doncic during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2026
A viral celebration moment involving Luka Dončić resurfaced recently after former Dallas Mavericks executive Michael Finley revealed what really happened when he briefly took a beer from the superstar guard during the team’s 2024 Western Conference Finals celebration.
But nearly two years later, the storyline around Dončić has shifted dramatically — especially following his controversial departure from the Dallas Mavericks and his stunning resurgence with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Finley recently explained on Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan that the viral clip from the Mavericks’ locker room celebration was misunderstood.
“This is the God’s honest truth about the beer situation with our former player,” Finley said. “After the game in Minnesota, we win the Western Conference championship, we’re on our way to the Finals. I leave the court. I see No. 77 standing over there having a beer, and I say, ‘Congratulations, young fella. You definitely deserve that beer.’”
According to Finley, he briefly held the drink so the Mavericks’ media team could capture a photo of Dončić with his father before returning it moments later.
The explanation arrived long after the video sparked debate online — and months after Dallas traded its franchise cornerstone.
Luka Dončić’s Lakers Transformation After Dallas Criticism
The conversation surrounding Dončić’s conditioning intensified after his departure from Dallas, when reports surfaced criticizing his fitness and lifestyle habits.
Those criticisms appear to have fueled a dramatic transformation.
According to Slovenian Pop TV, Dončić entered the season having lost approximately 31 pounds, reshaping his physique during an intense offseason training program.
In a July cover story for Men’s Health, Dončić detailed the discipline behind the transformation.
The five-time All-NBA guard adopted a 16-hour intermittent fasting routine six days a week, fasting from 8:30 p.m. until noon the following day.
That meant Dončić often performed his first daily workout at the end of the fasting window, pushing his body before breaking the fast.
His revamped diet also included a gluten-free, low-sugar meal plan, highlighted by high protein intake.
Dončić consumes at least 250 grams of protein daily, along with a specialized almond milk-based shake designed to support recovery and muscle maintenance.
The changes have translated directly to his performance on the court.
Luka Dončić Leading NBA Scoring Race With Lakers
Dončić is now producing one of the most dominant seasons of his career in Los Angeles.
The 26-year-old currently leads the NBA in scoring at 32.5 points per game, powering the Lakers’ offense and reasserting himself as one of the league’s most unstoppable players.
His latest masterpiece came in a 128–117 win over the Indiana Pacers, where Dončić exploded for 44 points on 14-of-25 shooting.
He added nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks while leading the Lakers to victory.
Remarkably, Dončić delivered the entire performance in just three quarters, sitting out the fourth period with the game already under control.
The outing also continued a remarkable scoring trend.
Dončić has now scored 20 or more points in the first quarter five times this season, the most by any player in a single season since play-by-play tracking began in 1996–97.
Lakers Superstar Delivering Historic Offensive Production
Dončić’s explosive offensive production has also produced some rare statistical feats.
This season, he is the only player in the NBA to record at least 29 points, six made three-pointers, six rebounds and three assists in a single half.
Even more impressive, Dončić has achieved that stat line multiple times this season, becoming the only player to do so four times in the past 30 years.
For the Lakers, the scoring surge has been critical as they chase playoff positioning in a competitive Western Conference.
Dončić’s blend of scoring, playmaking and rebounding has transformed the Lakers into one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams.
Viral Mavericks Moment Now Part of Larger Luka Story
The resurfacing of Finley’s explanation about the viral beer moment offers a reminder of how quickly narratives can change around NBA superstars.
At the time, the clip fueled speculation about Dončić’s professionalism and habits.
Now, with Dončić in peak physical condition and dominating games in Los Angeles, the episode has become little more than a footnote in the larger story of his career.
If his current trajectory continues, the Lakers star’s transformation — both physically and statistically — may become one of the defining chapters of his already remarkable NBA journey.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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