Getty
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers mocks Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls after making a shot.
A post from tennis legend Maria Sharapova featuring Luka Dončić quickly captured the attention of sports fans online following the Los Angeles Lakers’ dramatic overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Sharapova shared a photo on Instagram alongside Dončić moments after the Lakers secured a 127–125 overtime win, a game in which the Slovenian superstar delivered another memorable performance. The image soon circulated widely across social media, including reposts from the NBA on X, sparking widespread reaction from NBA and tennis fans alike.
Sharapova praised the intensity of the game in her caption.
“Clutch 💪🏆 The physicality, the discipline, turning it on under pressure when the world is watching,” Sharapova wrote. “There’s nothing like live sports. I chose a goodie to attend after all these years!!”
Luka Dončić Delivers Another Clutch Performance
The moment came shortly after Dončić authored another standout performance for Los Angeles.
The Lakers star finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists, recording a triple-double while hitting the fall-away jumper in overtime that ultimately sealed the victory.
Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, was seen courtside during the game before meeting Dončić after the thrilling finish.
The crossover moment between two internationally recognized athletes quickly became one of the most talked-about images from the night.
Fans React to Viral Sharapova–Dončić Photo
Once the photo began circulating online, fans quickly flooded the NBA on Prime post with reactions and playful speculation.
Some users jokingly wondered whether the two global sports figures were romantically involved.
“Are they dating? lol,” one fan commented.
Another fan referenced Sharapova’s past connection to the Lakers organization.
“Well, she was dating a former Laker almost ten years ago with Sasha V,” the fan wrote, referencing Sharapova’s previous relationship with former Lakers guard Sasha Vujačić.
Others pointed out a unique off-court connection between Sharapova and Dončić.
“Luka bought Maria’s home in LA,” another fan commented.
One more user joked about how quickly speculation spreads online.
“Let the rumour mill begin,” the fan wrote alongside face-palm emojis.
The mix of curiosity, nostalgia and humor quickly helped the moment go viral.
Sharapova’s Past Connections to Basketball
Sharapova’s appearance alongside Dončić also revived discussion about the tennis star’s past connection to the NBA.
Sharapova and Vujačić began dating in 2009 and became engaged in 2011. The Slovenian guard was part of the Lakers’ championship teams during the Kobe Bryant era.
However, Sharapova confirmed in August 2012 that the pair had ended their engagement earlier that year.
After their split, Sharapova dated Bulgarian tennis star Grigor Dimitrov between 2012 and 2015.
Since 2018, Sharapova has been in a relationship with English businessman Alexander Gilkes. The couple revealed their engagement in December 2020 and welcomed a son together in July 2022.
A Real Estate Link Between the Two Stars
The fan comment referencing Dončić purchasing Sharapova’s home also reflects a real connection between the two sports icons.
According to a report from Sandra Barrera of the Southern California News Group, Dončić recently purchased Sharapova’s former Manhattan Beach residence for approximately $25 million.
The luxury property features five bedrooms, a bowling alley and sweeping ocean views — a setting that Dončić has said he enjoys since arriving in Los Angeles.
“Well, first of all, this is the first city I’ve played in that has an ocean, and I really like the ocean,” Dončić said on the Mind the Game podcast hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash.
Viral Moment During Challenging Time for Dončić
The viral moment also arrives during a challenging period in Dončić’s personal life.
The Lakers star recently confirmed he ended his engagement to longtime partner Anamaria Goltes amid an ongoing custody dispute involving their two daughters.
Despite the off-court turmoil, Dončić has continued performing at an elite level while explaining that basketball provides a sense of peace.
“Alright. That’s life, I don’t know what to say,” Dončić said in Slovenian. “But that’s my job, so I have to be here. They pay me a lot to play for them… and also basketball is giving me some kind of peace when I play a game.”
For fans, the photo of Sharapova and Dončić offered one of those rare moments when global stars from different sports cross paths — and instantly capture the internet’s attention.
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
More Heavy on Lakers
Loading more stories