History of Luka Dončić in Timeline
Luka Dončić is a Slovenian professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. A five-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team selection, Dončić has achieved considerable success since his rookie season. He also represents the Slovenian national team in international competitions. He is recognized as one of the greatest European players in basketball history.
1959: Dončić joins Wilt Chamberlain since 1959-60 season.
In 1959, Dončić became the only other NBA player to score 30 or more points in the first eight games of a season beside Wilt Chamberlain, who did it in the first eight of the 1959–60 season and the first 23 of the 1962–63 season.
1960: Comparison to Oscar Robertson
In 1960, Oscar Robertson had an exceptional rookie season, setting a high benchmark against which Luka Dončić's performance was later compared.
1962: Dončić joins Wilt Chamberlain since 1962-63 season.
In 1962, Dončić became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962–63 to score at least 30 points in each of the first seven games of a season.
December 1967: Two Game Scoring Record
In February 2022, Luka Dončić had the most points in a two-game span against the same opponent since Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 for Philadelphia against Seattle in December 1967.
1976: ABA-NBA Merger Record
In December 2019, Luka Dončić surpassed the record for consecutive games with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, a record formerly held by Michael Jordan.
1980: Three-Point Era Achievement
In February 2022, Luka Dončić became the first player in NBA history to average 30 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists per game while shooting at least 40 percent from three-point range in a calendar month in the three-point era since 1980.
1983: 35-Point Triple-Double Record
Since the 1983-84 NBA season, only a few players achieved successive 35-point triple-doubles, with Luka Dončić later joining the ranks of Michael Jordan, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook.
1984: Comparison to Michael Jordan
In 1984, Michael Jordan had a notable rookie season, establishing a standard against which Luka Dončić's achievements were measured.
1986: Dončić joins Michael Jordan since 1986-87 season.
In 1986, Dončić became the sixth player in NBA history to score at least 30 points in each of the first six games of a season, and the first to do so since Michael Jordan in the 1986–87 season.
1989: Michael Jordan's Record
In 1989, Michael Jordan held the record for 18 straight games with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists, a record Luka Dončić surpassed on December 8, 2019.
1998: Comparison to Tim Duncan
In September 2020, Luka Dončić became the first player since Tim Duncan in the 1998–99 season to be selected to an All-NBA First Team in a first or second season.
February 28, 1999: Luka Dončić's Birth
On February 28, 1999, Luka Dončić was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He is now a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
1999: Dončić's Finals Debut Echoes Tim Duncan's Achievement in 1999
In 1999, during Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, Dončić scored 30 points and secured 10 rebounds in a 107–89 loss, mirroring Tim Duncan's 30-point double-double performance in his first Finals game back in 1999.
2001: Youngest Player of the Month
In December 2019, Luka Dončić became the youngest Western Conference Player of the Month since the league started issuing the award by conferences in the 2001-02 season.
2003: Comparison to LeBron James
In 2003, LeBron James had a remarkable rookie season, providing a point of comparison for Luka Dončić's accomplishments.
January 22, 2006: Dončić Exceeds Point Total since Kobe Bryant.
On January 22, 2006, Dončić became the player with most points scored in a single game by any player since Kobe Bryant scored 81 points.
2006: First Triple-Double
In 2018, on May 9, Luka Dončić recorded 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, filed for divorce, with custody and legal guardianship granted to his mother.
December 2009: Dončić Sets Mavericks Record for Most Points in a Half
In December 2009, Dončić scored 41 points in the first half of a game, setting a Mavericks franchise record for the most points in any half, surpassing the previous record set by Dirk Nowitzki.
2009: Comparison to Tyreke Evans
In 2009, Tyreke Evans had a noteworthy rookie season, serving as a reference for evaluating Luka Dončić's performance.
2010: Nomination to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team
In November 2019, Luka Dončić was nominated to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team.
September 2011: MVP at the Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup
In September 2011, representing Olimpija at the under-14 Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup in Budapest, Luka Dončić was named the most valuable player (MVP), despite finishing as runners-up to FC Barcelona.
2011: Mavericks Win 2011 NBA Finals
In 2011, the Mavericks achieved their first-round series victory since winning the 2011 NBA Finals.
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, and won tournament MVP honors.
April 2012: MVP at the 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, showcasing his skills in a title-clinching win over Lazio.
September 2012: Signs with Real Madrid
In September 2012, at 13 years of age, Luka Dončić signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid, where he stood out on the under-16 team.
February 2013: Minicopa Endesa Win and MVP Honors
In February 2013, Luka Dončić led Real Madrid to a Minicopa Endesa win, averaging 24.5 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and six steals per game, and won MVP honors.
December 2014: Dončić Participates in Friendly Tournament in Hungary
In December 2014, Luka Dončić participated in a friendly tournament held in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, where he averaged 35.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, showcasing impressive shooting percentages of 81 percent on two-pointers and 57 percent on three-pointers.
2014: ACB Season Participation
During the 2014-15 ACB season, Luka Dončić played five games.
2014: Plays for Real Madrid's Under-18 and Reserve Teams
During the 2014–15 season, Luka Dončić mainly played with Real Madrid's under-18 and reserve teams.
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 at 16 years, two months, and two days of age.
May 2015: Next Generation Tournament Win and MVP
In May 2015, Luka Dončić won the under-18 Next Generation Tournament and was selected as MVP.
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, Luka Dončić debuted for Real Madrid's senior team at the age of 16, 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: Commitment to Slovenian National Team
On September 22, 2016, Luka Dončić announced his commitment to represent the senior men's Slovenian national team throughout his career, after considering offers from Serbia and Spain. Goran Dragić, whom Dončić had known since age seven, became his national team roommate and mentor.
September 30, 2016: 2016-17 Season Debut
On September 30, 2016, Luka Dončić debuted in the 2016–17 season 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 just 17 years old, Luka Dončić made his senior debut for the Slovenian national team.
January 14, 2017: EuroLeague MVP of the Round
On January 14, 2017, Luka Dončić earned MVP of the Round honors in EuroLeague after posting 10 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists to help beat Maccabi Tel Aviv.
October 1, 2017: Season Debut Against MoraBanc Andorra
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: EuroBasket 2017 Gold Medal
In 2017, Dončić and the Slovenian national team won the EuroBasket tournament, achieving a perfect 9-0 record and securing Slovenia's first gold medal. He was named to the All-Tournament Team alongside teammate Goran Dragić.
2017: Winning Streak
In 2017, Dončić debuted on the senior national team which lead to a 17-match winning streak that ended with a loss to France.
2017: EuroBasket Title and All-Tournament Team Selection
In 2017, Luka Dončić helped Slovenia win its first EuroBasket title and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
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 by Mina Kimes
In April 2018, Mina Kimes profiled Dončić, highlighting his enjoyment of playing video game franchises like Call of Duty, FIFA, and Overwatch.
June 21, 2018: Dončić Drafted and Traded
On June 21, 2018, Luka Dončić was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks but was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Trae Young and a future first-round pick.
June 29, 2018: Departure from Real Madrid
On June 29, 2018, Luka Dončić officially parted ways with Real Madrid.
July 9, 2018: Dončić Signs Rookie Contract
On July 9, 2018, Luka Dončić officially signed his rookie contract with the Dallas Mavericks, solidifying his entry into the NBA.
October 17, 2018: NBA Regular-Season Debut
On October 17, 2018, Luka Dončić made his NBA regular-season debut with the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 10 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out four assists in a loss against the Phoenix Suns.
November 2018: Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month
In November 2018, Luka Dončić was named the NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month, acknowledging his outstanding performance and impact early in his rookie season.
December 2018: Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December
In December 2018, Luka Dončić earned the title of Western Conference Rookie of the Month, marking his consistent performance and contribution to the Mavericks.
2018: EuroLeague Title and MVP Awards
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.
2018: Drafted into the NBA and Traded to the Mavericks
In 2018, Luka Dončić was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA draft and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
2018: NBA Draft Prospect
In 2018, entering the NBA draft, Dončić was widely considered one of the best European prospects of his generation, earning praise from publications like Slam magazine and SB Nation.
January 2019: Western Conference Rookie of the Month
In January 2019, Luka Dončić was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month, adding another accolade to his impressive rookie season.
October 25, 2019: First Triple-Double of the Season
On October 25, 2019, Luka Dončić recorded his first triple-double of the season, with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, contributing to the Mavericks' victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
November 2019: Nomination to the 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 the record for the most consecutive games with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, exceeding Michael Jordan's previous record from 1989.
December 2019: Air Jordan Deal
In December 2019, Dončić signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Air Jordan, which included a signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 1.
December 2019: Magic Johnson Comparison
In December 2019, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich compared Dončić's playing style to that of Magic Johnson, praising his court vision.
2019: First NBA All-Star Game
During the 2019-2020 season, Luka Dončić was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game as a Western Conference starter, becoming the youngest European player to start in an All-Star game.
2019: Rising Stars Challenge
In 2019, Luka Dončić was selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge, representing Slovenia on the World Team, highlighting his recognition as a promising young talent in the NBA.
2019: Future First-Round Pick
In 2019, a protected future first-round pick was part of the trade agreement that sent Luka Dončić to the Dallas Mavericks, which underscores the high value placed on Dončić's potential.
January 4, 2020: Tenth Triple-Double of the Season
On January 4, 2020, Luka Dončić recorded his tenth triple-double of the season, with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
March 2020: Selection to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team
In March 2020, Luka Dončić was selected to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team.
July 31, 2020: 15th 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.
August 2020: Larry Bird and Jason Kidd Comparison
In August 2020, head coach Rick Carlisle likened Dončić's playmaking and court vision to that of Larry Bird and Jason Kidd, acknowledging his exceptional skills on the court.
2020: Olympic Berth
In 2020, 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.
February 6, 2021: Matches Career High
On February 6, 2021, Luka Dončić matched his then-career-high with 42 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in a 134–132 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
March 23, 2021: Honorary Membership of Real Madrid Football Club
On March 23, 2021, the Real Madrid Football Club named Luka Dončić as an honorary member, which is the highest distinction award of the club.
July 14, 2021: NBA 2K22 Cover Athlete
On July 14, 2021, it was announced that Dončić would be the cover athlete for NBA 2K22, the 23rd installment in the NBA 2K video game series.
July 26, 2021: Olympic Debut
On July 26, 2021, in his Olympic debut, Dončić scored 48 points in a 118–100 victory over Argentina, tying for the second-highest men's point total in a single game in Summer Olympics history.
August 10, 2021: Signs Rookie Extension
On August 10, 2021, Luka Dončić signed a five-year, $207 million rookie extension, the largest in NBA history.
2021: Card Sale
In 2021, 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, along with seven rebounds and 10 assists, in a 137–96 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. He became the fourth player since the merger to reach 7,000 career points in fewer than 270 games.
2022: Named All-Star Reserve
In February 2022, Luka Dončić was named as a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
January 3, 2023: Dončić Awarded Western Conference Player of the Month
On January 3, 2023, Luka Dončić received the Western Conference Player of the Month award for his performance in December, marking the third time he has received the award.
March 2023: Grandmaster Overwatch Tier
In March 2023, Dončić reached the "Grandmaster" tier in competitive play in Overwatch. He later became a top 500 player in the tank role in Overwatch 2.
July 2023: Engagement to Anamaria Goltes
In July 2023, Luka Dončić became engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Anamaria Goltes.
October 25, 2023: Dončić Achieves 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 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He became 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: FIBA Basketball World Cup
During the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Dončić surpassed 200 points, becoming one of only 11 players to reach that milestone in a single World Cup. Slovenia finished seventh, and Dončić was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team.
2023: Six Year Jordan Deal
In 2023 Dončić signed a 6 year deal with Jordan solidifying the continuation of his Jordan Luka line.
2023: Dončić's NBA Finals Echoes Nikola Jokić Feat in 2023.
In 2023, Dončić concluded the postseason as the leader in total points (635), rebounds (208), and assists (178), making him the second player in NBA history to top all three categories since Nikola Jokić achieved the feat in the 2023 NBA playoffs.
2023: NBA Scoring Leader
In the 2023–24 season, Luka Dončić led the NBA in scoring, becoming the first European to lead the NBA in scoring and second international player to achieve the feat. That season, he led the Mavericks to their third NBA Finals appearance.
January 2024: Jason Kidd Comments
In January 2024, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd stated that Dončić is "better than Dirk [Nowitzki]" and compared him to basketball legends like 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 fourth as a starter.
May 15, 2024: Dončić Achieves Playoff Triple-Double in Game 5 Victory
On May 15, 2024, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Luka Dončić recorded his sixth career playoff triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 104–92 victory.
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 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden for seventh place on the all-time career triple-double list.
December 29, 2024: House Burglary
On December 29, 2024, Dončić's house in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas was burglarized.
2024: Dončić Leads Postseason in Points, Rebounds, and Assists
In 2024, Luka Dončić concluded the postseason as the leader in total points (635), rebounds (208), and assists (178), making him the second player in NBA history to top all three categories since Nikola Jokić achieved the feat in the 2023 NBA playoffs.
2024: Olympic Games Qualification Failure
In 2024, the Slovenian basketball team, including Dončić, failed to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games after losing to the Greek basketball team.
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.
February 2, 2025: Dončić Traded to the 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. This trade marked a significant and unexpected event in NBA history.
2029: Lakers Acquire First-Round Pick in Trade
In the February 2, 2025, trade, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired a 2029 first-round pick from the Mavericks as part of the exchange for Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.
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