History of Luka Dončić in Timeline
Luka Dončić is a Slovenian professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He has achieved significant recognition since his rookie season, earning five NBA All-Star selections and five All-NBA First Team honors. Dončić also represents the Slovenian national team and is celebrated as one of the greatest European basketball players ever.
1959: Dončić matches Chamberlain's record
In 1959-60 season, Wilt Chamberlain scored at least 30 points in each of the first eight games, matching Luka Dončić's achievement in the 2022-2023 season.
1962: Dončić surpasses Chamberlain's record
In the 1962-63 season, Wilt Chamberlain scored at least 30 points in each of the first seven games, a record surpassed by Luka Dončić in the 2022-2023 season.
1986: Dončić matches Jordan's record
In 1986-87 season, Michael Jordan scored at least 30 points in each of the first six games, matching Luka Dončić's achievement in the 2022-2023 season.
February 28, 1999: Luka Dončić's Birth
On February 28, 1999, Luka Dončić was born in Ljubljana. He is a Slovenian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
1999: Dončić matches Duncan's record
In the 2024 NBA Finals, Luka Dončić became the first player since Tim Duncan in 1999 to record a 30-point double-double in his first Finals game.
January 22, 2006: Dončić breaks record since Kobe Bryant's 81-point game
On January 26, 2024, Luka Dončić scored 73 points, the most points scored in a single game by any player since Kobe Bryant scored 81 points on January 22, 2006.
2006: First triple-double in the ACB since 2006-07 season
On May 9, 2018, Dončić recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in 22 minutes against Real Betis Energía Plus, for the first triple-double in the ACB since the 2006–07 season.
2008: Parents' Divorce
In 2008, Luka Dončić's parents, Mirjam Poterbin and Saša Dončić, divorced, with custody and legal guardianship granted to his mother.
December 2009: Dončić surpasses Nowitzki's record
On January 26, 2024, Luka Dončić scored 41 points in the first half also set a Mavericks franchise record for the most points in any half, surpassing the previous record set by Dirk Nowitzki in December 2009.
2010: Selection to EuroLeague 2010-20 All-Decade Team
In the 2010s, Luka Dončić was selected to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team.
2010: EuroLeague 2010-20 All-Decade Team recognition
Luka Dončić was recognized for his contributions to the EuroLeague as part of the 2010-20 All-Decade Team.
September 2011: MVP at Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup
In September 2011, Luka Dončić, representing Olimpija at the under-14 Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup in Budapest, was named the most valuable player (MVP), despite finishing as runners-up to FC Barcelona.
2011: Mavericks win 2011 NBA Finals
In 2011, The Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Finals, marking their first first-round series victory since then, achieved later in Luka Dončić's career.
February 2012: Loan to Real Madrid for Minicopa Endesa
In February 2012, Luka Dončić was loaned to Spanish club Real Madrid for the Minicopa Endesa, an under-14 Spanish club competition, where he averaged 13.0 points and won tournament MVP honors.
April 2012: MVP at Lido di Roma Tournament
In April 2012, Luka Dončić participated in the under-13 Lido di Roma Tournament for Olimpija, finishing as MVP and leading scorer with 34.5 points per game. He had standout performances, including 54 points in a title-clinching win.
September 2012: Signs with Real Madrid
In September 2012, at 13 years of age, Luka Dončić signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid and moved to Madrid.
February 2013: Minicopa Endesa Win and MVP
In February 2013, Luka Dončić led Real Madrid to a Minicopa Endesa win, averaging 24.5 points and winning MVP honors.
December 2014: Dončić participates in friendly tournament in Hungary
In December 2014, Luka Dončić participated in a friendly tournament in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, averaging 35.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
2014: ACB Season
During the 2014–15 ACB season, Luka Dončić played five games, averaging 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 4.8 minutes per game.
2014: Plays 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. He averaged 13.5 points with the reserve team, helping them win Group B of the Liga EBA.
January 2015: Ciutat de L'Hospitalet Tournament Win
In January 2015, Luka Dončić won the under-18 Ciutat de L'Hospitalet Tournament and was selected to the All-Tournament Team.
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.
May 2015: Next Generation Tournament MVP
In May 2015, Luka Dončić won the under-18 Next Generation Tournament and was selected MVP after defeating Crvena zvezda Belgrade in the final.
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 age 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.
September 22, 2016: Dončić Announces Commitment to Slovenian National Team
On September 22, 2016, Luka Dončić publicly committed to representing the senior men's Slovenian national team for the duration of his career, foregoing opportunities to play for other national teams such as Serbia and Spain. Additionally, he formed a bond with Goran Dragić, who became his national team roommate, friend, and mentor after they first met when Dončić was seven years old.
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 in 19 minutes.
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, at age 17, Luka Dončić made his senior debut for Slovenia.
January 14, 2017: EuroLeague MVP of the Round
On January 14, 2017, Luka Dončić earned MVP of the Round in the EuroLeague after posting 10 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists to help beat Maccabi Tel Aviv.
October 1, 2017: 2017-18 Season Debut
On October 1, 2017, Luka Dončić recorded eight points, six rebounds, and four assists in a 94–88 victory over MoraBanc Andorra, marking his season debut.
2017: EuroBasket Title with Slovenia
In 2017, Luka Dončić helped Slovenia win its first EuroBasket title and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
2017: EuroBasket 2017 Victory and All-Tournament Selection
In 2017, Luka Dončić was a key member of the Slovenian team that won its first gold medal at EuroBasket with an undefeated record of 9-0. His notable performances included scoring 27 points against Latvia in the quarterfinals and contributing to the semifinal victory over Spain. Although injured in the final against Serbia, Slovenia won the tournament. Dončić's contributions were recognized with his selection to the All-Tournament Team.
2017: Winning streak from senior national team debut
In 2017, started a 17-match winning streak from the senior national team debut.
2017: Signs Deal with Nike
In 2017, while playing at Real Madrid, Luka Dončić signed a two-year deal with Nike.
February 9, 2018: Losing Effort to Olympiacos
On February 9, 2018, Luka Dončić led his team with 27 points in a losing effort to Olympiacos, 80–79.
March 30, 2018: Game-Winning Shot against Crvena zvezda Belgrade
On March 30, 2018, Luka Dončić scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and made a game-winning three-pointer under a second left in regulation to beat Crvena zvezda Belgrade, 82–79.
April 2018: Profiled as a Gamer Who Enjoys Video Games
In April 2018, a sports journalist profiled Luka Dončić, highlighting his passion for video games such as Call of Duty, FIFA, and Overwatch.
June 21, 2018: Dončić drafted and traded to Mavericks
On June 21, 2018, Luka Dončić was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Trae Young and a 2019 first-round pick. The Mavericks' coach, Rick Carlisle, expressed excitement about acquiring Dončić as a franchise cornerstone.
June 29, 2018: Parting Ways with Real Madrid
On June 29, 2018, Luka Dončić officially parted ways with Real Madrid, marking the end of his time with the club.
October 17, 2018: Regular-season debut
On October 17, 2018, Luka Dončić made his NBA regular-season debut with the Dallas Mavericks, recording 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in a 121–100 loss against the Phoenix Suns.
November 2018: Named NBA Rookie of the Month
In November 2018, Luka Dončić was named NBA Rookie of the Month in the Western Conference, marking an early career achievement.
December 2018: Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month
In December 2018, Luka Dončić was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive month, solidifying his impressive start to his NBA career.
2018: Widely Regarded as Top NBA Prospect
Entering the 2018 NBA draft, Luka Dončić was recognized as one of the best and most accomplished European prospects of his generation. He was lauded as the "best international prospect ever" and the "most accomplished NBA prospect in decades" by various sports publications.
2018: NBA Draft and Trade to Mavericks
In 2018, Luka Dončić declared for the NBA draft, where he was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks and subsequently traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
2018: EuroLeague Title with Real Madrid
In 2018, Luka Dončić led Real Madrid to the EuroLeague title, winning both the EuroLeague MVP and the Final Four MVP awards. He was also named the ACB Most Valuable Player and won back-to-back EuroLeague Rising Star and ACB Best Young Player awards.
2018: Dončić's Basketball Card Released
Luka Dončić's 2018-19 Panini National Treasures basketball card was released.
January 2019: Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month
In January 2019, Luka Dončić was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month, continuing his strong performance in his debut NBA season.
October 25, 2019: First triple-double of the season
On October 25, 2019, Luka Dončić recorded his first triple-double of the 2019-2020 season with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 123–116 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
November 2019: Nomination to EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team
In November 2019, Luka Dončić was nominated to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team.
December 8, 2019: Consecutive games record
On December 8, 2019, Luka Dončić surpassed Michael Jordan's record for consecutive games with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.
December 2019: Signs 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.
December 2019: Gregg Popovich Compares Dončić to Magic Johnson
In December 2019, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich likened Luka Dončić's playing style to that of Magic Johnson, citing his exceptional court vision.
January 4, 2020: Tenth triple-double of the season
On January 4, 2020, Luka Dončić recorded his tenth triple-double of the season, accumulating 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 123-120 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
March 2020: Selection for 2010–20 All-Decade Team
In March 2020, Luka Dončić was selected for the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team, recognizing his contributions to the league during that period.
July 31, 2020: Fifteenth triple-double of the season
On July 31, 2020, Luka Dončić recorded his 15th triple-double of the season, with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, in a 153–149 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets.
August 2020: Rick Carlisle Compares Dončić to Larry Bird and Jason Kidd
In August 2020, head coach Rick Carlisle compared Luka Dončić's playmaking and court vision to those of Larry Bird and Jason Kidd, highlighting his exceptional skills and impact on the game.
2020: Leads Slovenia to First Olympic Berth
In 2020, Luka Dončić led Slovenia to its first-ever Olympic berth during the FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania. He was named MVP of the tournament after leading Slovenia to a 96–85 victory over Lithuania, recording 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists in the final round.
February 6, 2021: Matches career-high in points
On February 6, 2021, Luka Dončić matched his then-career-high of 42 points, along with 11 assists and 7 rebounds, in a 134–132 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
March 23, 2021: Honorary Membership to Real Madrid
On March 23, 2021, Luka Dončić was named an honorary member of the Real Madrid Football Club, the highest distinction award of the club.
July 14, 2021: Named 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 with Near-Record Performance
On July 26, 2021, in his Olympic debut, Luka Dončić scored 48 points in Slovenia's 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 rookie extension
On August 10, 2021, Luka Dončić signed a five-year $207 million rookie extension with the Dallas Mavericks, which was the largest in NBA history at that time.
2021: Dončić's Basketball Card Sells for $4.6 Million
In 2021, Luka Dončić's 2018–19 Panini National Treasures basketball card was sold for $4.6 million dollars.
October 22, 2022: Dončić records 32 points in victory over 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, becoming the fourth player since the merger to record 7,000 career points in less than 270 games.
January 3, 2023: Dončić awarded Western Conference Player of the Month
On January 3, 2023, Luka Dončić was awarded the Western Conference Player of the Month award for his performance in December, marking the third time he received this honor in his career.
March 2023: Reaches Grandmaster Tier in Overwatch
In March 2023, Luka Dončić demonstrated his skill in Overwatch by reaching the "Grandmaster" tier in competitive play, and later became a top 500 player in the tank role in Overwatch 2.
July 2023: Dončić Gets Engaged
In July 2023, Luka Dončić got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Anamaria Goltes.
October 25, 2023: Dončić records triple-double in season opener
On October 25, 2023, Luka Dončić recorded a triple-double with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 126–119 win over the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the first player in Mavericks history to achieve a 30-point triple-double in a season-opening game.
December 1, 2023: Birth of Daughter Gabriela
On December 1, 2023, Luka Dončić and his fiancée Anamaria Goltes welcomed their daughter, Gabriela.
2023: Dončić Joins 200-Point Club and Named to All-Tournament Team
During the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Luka Dončić became one of only 11 players to score over 200 points in a single tournament. He led all scorers with 27.0 points per game, also contributing 7.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Slovenia finished seventh, and Dončić was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team.
2023: NBA Scoring Leader
During the 2023–24 season, Luka Dončić led the NBA in scoring, becoming the first European to achieve this feat. That season, he also led the Mavericks to their third NBA Finals appearance.
2023: Signs 6-Year Deal with Jordan
In 2023, Luka Dončić inked a 6-year deal with Jordan, solidifying the continuation of his Jordan Luka line.
2023: Dončić follows Jokić's footsteps
In the 2024 NBA Finals, Dončić finished the postseason as the leader in total points, rebounds and assists, becoming the second player in NBA history since Nikola Jokić in the 2023 NBA playoffs to finish as the playoff leader in all three of those categories.
January 2024: Jason Kidd Praises Dončić as Better Than Dirk Nowitzki
In January 2024, Jason Kidd, former basketball player and Dallas Mavericks head coach, asserted that Luka Dončić is superior to Dirk Nowitzki and ranks among the best players of all time, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.
January 25, 2024: Dončić named All-Star starter
On January 25, 2024, Luka Dončić was named a Western Conference starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his fifth consecutive selection and his fourth time as a starter.
May 15, 2024: Dončić delivers triple-double in Game 5
On May 15, 2024, Luka Dončić recorded his sixth career playoff triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 104–92 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
December 7, 2024: Dončić surpasses Chamberlain and Harden on triple-double list
On December 7, 2024, Luka Dončić recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 125–118 win over the Toronto Raptors and surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden for seventh on the all-time career triple-double list.
December 29, 2024: House Burglarized
On December 29, 2024, Luka Dončić's house in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas was burglarized.
2024: Dončić finishes as the leader in total points
In 2024, Dončić finished the postseason as the leader in total points, rebounds and assists, becoming the second player in NBA history to finish as the playoff leader in all three of those categories.
2024: Slovenia Fails to Qualify for Paris Olympics
In 2024, the Slovenian basketball team, including Luka Dončić, did not qualify for the Paris Olympic Games after losing to the Greek basketball team by a score of 96–68 during the qualifying rounds, preventing their participation in the final phase.
2024: Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers
In the middle of the 2024–25 season, Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a controversial blockbuster trade, considered one of the most shocking in American sports history.
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, a move considered significant and unexpected in NBA history.
2029: Lakers acquire 2029 first-round pick in Dončić trade
On February 2, 2025, The Los Angeles Lakers acquired a 2029 first-round pick in exchange for Luka Dončić.
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