Luka Dončić’s explosive style demands a shoe that can keep up with his lightning quick moves and sudden stops. Nike answered the call with the Nike Air Jordan Luka 3, a sneaker meticulously engineered to provide the Dallas Mavericks guard with the perfect balance of speed, control, and agility on the court.
At the heart of the Luka 3 is the advanced Isoplate technology that was specifically tailored to Dončić’s needs. The widened lateral outrigger and strategically removed sections of the plate’s sidewall reduce weight while maintaining the support necessary for his dynamic game. The full-length Cushlon 3.0 foam provides a smooth transition from heel to toe and works in harmony with the Isoplate to enable explosive acceleration from off-speed transitions, such as Doncic’s signature step-back and drive to the basket.
The Luka 3’s design allows players to take full advantage of lateral and diagonal movement, with the Isoplate providing torsional rigidity to keep the foot in place. Cutouts along the lateral toe box with a neoprene-like barrier strike the perfect balance between flexibility and containment, allowing for aggressive cuts without compromising stability.
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Dončić’s love of high-performance sports cars served as the real-life inspiration for the Luka 3. The shoe’s design elements mirror the characteristics of an elite car, with the engine representing the player’s forward propulsion and the chassis symbolizing control and agility. The outsole’s generative herringbone pattern, inspired by the traction of racing tires, further emphasizes the connection between the shoe and Dončić’s speed-oriented game.
Subtle details throughout the Luka 3 pay homage to the sports car theme, from the seatbelt inspired pull tabs to the wavy stripes on the engineered textile upper that evoke high-speed motion. The Luka 3 not only builds on the performance advantages of its predecessor, but also raises the bar for sustainability in the Luka franchise. Each colorway achieves a Tier 2 sustainability score, ensuring that at least 20 percent of the shoe’s weight comes from recycled materials.
The Nike Air Jordan Luka 3 launches in the Midnight Racer colorway on July 5th in Europe; the Photo Finish colorway launches worldwide on July 16th.
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