Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Luka Dončić
Discover the career path of Luka Dončić, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Luka Dončić is a Slovenian professional basketball player currently playing in the NBA. His achievements include multiple NBA All-Star selections and All-NBA First Team selections. He represents the Slovenian national team in international competitions. Widely considered one of the greatest European players ever, Dončić is nicknamed 'Luka Magic' due to his exceptional skill and performance on the court.
1976: Most consecutive games with at least 20 points
On December 8, 2019, Luka Dončić surpassed the record for the most consecutive games with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, with Michael Jordan previously holding the record.
1983: Fourth player since 1983-84 season to have consecutive 35 point triple doubles
In November 2019, Luka Dončić became the fourth player since the 1983–84 NBA season to achieve consecutive 35-point triple-doubles, joining Michael Jordan, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook.
1989: Most consecutive games with at least 20 points
On December 8, 2019, Luka Dončić surpassed the record for the most consecutive games with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Michael Jordan previously held the record with 18 straight games in 1989.
1998: All-NBA First Team selection
On September 16, 2020, Luka Dončić was named to the All-NBA First Team, becoming the first player since Tim Duncan in the 1998–99 season to be selected to an All-NBA First Team in either their first or second season.
2001: Youngest Western Conference Player of the Month Winner
In December 2019, Luka Dončić became the youngest Western Conference Player of the Month winner since the league began issuing the award by conferences in the 2001–02 NBA season.
January 22, 2006: Doncic scores franchise record 73 points
On January 26, 2024, Luka Dončić became the fourth player in league history to put up 72 or more points in a game and became the first player ever to score at least 70 points while shooting 75% or better from the field in a 148–143 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, finishing with a career-high 73 points. This marked the most points scored in a single game by any player since Kobe Bryant scored 81 points on January 22, 2006.
December 2009: Doncic sets Mavericks record for most points in a half
On January 26, 2024, Luka Dončić scored a career-high 73 points against the Atlanta Hawks, including 41 points in the first half, setting a Mavericks franchise record for the most points in any half. The previous record was set by Dirk Nowitzki in December 2009.
February 2012: Loaned to Real Madrid for Minicopa Endesa
In February 2012, Luka Dončić was loaned to Real Madrid for the Minicopa Endesa, an under-14 Spanish club competition, where he won tournament MVP honors.
September 2012: Signed with Real Madrid
In September 2012, at 13 years of age, Luka Dončić signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid.
2014: Played in Liga ACB
In the 2014–15 ACB season, Luka Dončić played five games for Real Madrid.
2014: Played with Real Madrid's Under-18 and Reserve Teams
In the 2014–15 season, Luka Dončić mainly played with Real Madrid's under-18 and reserve teams.
April 30, 2015: Professional Debut for Real Madrid
On April 30, 2015, Luka Dončić made his professional debut for Real Madrid in the Liga ACB against Unicaja, becoming the youngest player to ever play for Real Madrid in the ACB at 16 years, two months, and two days of age.
October 8, 2015: NBA Preseason Game
On October 8, 2015, Luka Dončić played against the Boston Celtics in an NBA preseason game, collecting four rebounds, an assist, and a block.
2015: Debut for Real Madrid's senior team
In 2015, at the age of 16, Luka Dončić debuted for Real Madrid's senior team, becoming the youngest player in club history.
January 7, 2016: EuroLeague Game against CSKA Moscow
On January 7, 2016, Luka Dončić scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds against CSKA Moscow in the EuroLeague, making three consecutive three-pointers in two minutes after a Real Madrid time-out.
September 22, 2016: Announcement to Represent Slovenian National Team
On September 22, 2016, Luka Dončić announced that he would represent the senior men's Slovenian national team for the remainder of his career. He had been linked to other national teams before.
September 30, 2016: 2016-17 Season Debut
On September 30, 2016, Luka Dončić made his 2016–17 season debut against Unicaja, recording six points and four assists.
October 3, 2016: NBA Preseason Win
On October 3, 2016, Luka Dončić collected three points, five rebounds, and four assists in an NBA preseason win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
December 8, 2016: EuroLeague Victory over Žalgiris Kaunas
On December 8, 2016, Luka Dončić scored a team-high 17 points in a EuroLeague victory over Žalgiris Kaunas.
2016: Senior debut for Slovenia
In 2016, Luka Dončić made his senior debut for Slovenia at the age of 17.
October 1, 2017: Season Debut for Real Madrid
On October 1, 2017, Luka Dončić recorded eight points, six rebounds, and four assists in a 94–88 victory over MoraBanc Andorra in his season debut.
2017: Signs with Nike
In 2017, while playing at Real Madrid, Luka Dončić signed a two-year deal with Nike.
February 9, 2018: Led Team with 27 Points
On February 9, 2018, Luka Dončić led his team with 27 points in a game against Olympiacos, which they lost 80-79.
March 30, 2018: Game-Winning Three-Pointer
On March 30, 2018, Luka Dončić scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and made a game-winning three-pointer with under a second left in regulation to beat Crvena zvezda Belgrade, 82–79.
June 21, 2018: Dončić was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks and traded to the Dallas Mavericks
On June 21, 2018, Luka Dončić was selected as the third overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA draft, and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Trae Young and a future first-round pick. The Mavericks' head coach Rick Carlisle expressed his excitement about acquiring Dončić, considering him a franchise foundation piece.
June 29, 2018: Parted ways with Real Madrid
On June 29, 2018, Luka Dončić officially parted ways with Real Madrid, marking the end of his tenure with the team.
July 9, 2018: Dončić signed his rookie contract with the Mavericks
On July 9, 2018, Luka Dončić officially signed his rookie contract with the Dallas Mavericks, marking the beginning of his NBA career.
October 17, 2018: Dončić's Regular-Season Debut
On October 17, 2018, Luka Dončić made his NBA regular-season debut, scoring 10 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out four assists in a 121–100 loss against the Phoenix Suns.
November 2018: Named NBA Rookie of the Month
In November 2018, Luka Dončić was recognized for his outstanding performance and named the NBA Rookie of the Month in the Western Conference, highlighting his impressive start to his NBA career.
December 2018: Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month
In December 2018, Luka Dončić was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month. On December 28, Dončić scored 34 points and became the youngest NBA player to make seven three-pointers in a game.
2018: Drafted into the NBA
In 2018, Luka Dončić was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks and subsequently traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
January 2019: Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for January
In January 2019, Luka Dončić was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for his performance, continuing his strong rookie season.
October 25, 2019: Triple-Double against the New Orleans Pelicans
On October 25, 2019, Luka Dončić recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 123–116 victory for the Mavericks against the New Orleans Pelicans.
December 8, 2019: Surpassed record for consecutive games with at least 20 points
On December 8, 2019, Luka Dončić surpassed the record for the most consecutive games with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, with Michael Jordan previously holding the record.
December 2019: Endorsement Deal with Air Jordan
In December 2019, Luka Dončić signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Air Jordan, which included a signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 1.
2019: Selected to his first NBA All-Star Game
During the 2019–20 NBA season, Luka Dončić was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game as a Western Conference starter and became the youngest European player to start in an All-Star game.
2019: Rising Stars Challenge Participant
In 2019, Luka Dončić was named a participant for the World Team representing Slovenia in the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge.
2019: Future first-round pick in 2019
In 2019, as part of the trade deal, the Dallas Mavericks also gave the Atlanta Hawks a protected future first-round pick.
January 4, 2020: Tenth triple-double of the season
On January 4, 2020, Luka Dončić recorded his tenth triple-double of the season, posting 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 123–120 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
July 31, 2020: Fifteenth triple-double of the season
On July 31, 2020, Luka Dončić recorded his 15th triple-double of the season, posting 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 153–149 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets.
February 6, 2021: Dončić matched his then-career-high 42 points
On February 6, 2021, Luka Dončić matched his then-career-high 42 points while putting up 11 assists and seven rebounds in a 134–132 win over the Golden State Warriors.
July 14, 2021: Cover Athlete for NBA 2K22
On July 14, 2021, it was announced that Luka Dončić would be the cover athlete for NBA 2K22, the 23rd installment in the NBA 2K video game series.
July 26, 2021: Olympic Debut and High-Scoring Game
On July 26, 2021, in his Olympic debut, Luka Dončić scored 48 points in a 118–100 victory over Argentina. This performance tied for the second-highest men's point total in a single game in Summer Olympics history.
August 10, 2021: Signed a five-year rookie extension
On August 10, 2021, Luka Dončić signed a five-year, $207 million rookie extension, marking the largest such extension in NBA history.
October 22, 2022: Dončić Records 32 Points Against Grizzlies
On October 22, 2022, Luka Dončić scored 32 points with seven rebounds and 10 assists in a 137-96 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. He became the fourth player since the NBA merger to record 7,000 career points in under 270 games.
2022: Named as a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game
On February 3, 2022, Luka Dončić was named as a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
2023: FIBA World Cup Performance and All-Tournament Team Selection
During the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Luka Dončić joined the exclusive 200-point club, becoming one of only 11 players to achieve this in a single World Cup campaign. He led all scorers and was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team in 2023.
2023: Led NBA in Scoring
During the 2023–24 season, Luka Dončić led the NBA in scoring, making him the first European player to achieve this feat. That season, he led the Mavericks to their third NBA Finals appearance.
2023: 6 year Deal with Jordan
In 2023, Luka Dončić inked a 6-year deal with Jordan, solidifying the continuation of his Jordan Luka line.
May 15, 2024: Dončić Delivers Playoff Triple-Double in Game 5 Victory
On May 15, 2024, Luka Dončić recorded his sixth career playoff triple-double, scoring 31 points, securing 10 rebounds, and providing 11 assists in a 104–92 Game 5 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2024: Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
In the middle of the 2024–25 season, Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
February 2, 2025: Dončić Traded to Los Angeles Lakers
On February 2, 2025, Luka Dončić, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Max Christie, Anthony Davis, and a 2029 first-round pick. The trade was a significant and unexpected event in NBA history.
2029: Luka Dončić Traded to Lakers
On February 2, 2025, Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Part of the deal involved the Lakers trading a first-round pick in 2029 to the Mavericks.
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