How the Nike Luka 3 Advances the Game

Product News

Here are three reasons that this Luka iteration is worth cheering about.

Last updated: September 10, 2024
3 min read

As a guard for the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Dončić is nicknamed "Luka Magic" for a reason. From starting as rookie of the year to stacking up NBA records every year afterward, Dončić always seems to be at least a few moves ahead, no matter who he's up against.

That's why the Slovenian basketball player was a perfect fit for a shoe inspired by his skill and performance. The Luka 2 earned raves for its spacious toe box, durability, impact protection and generous padding — and now, Nike is ready to up the game.

Combining the best of the Luka line with new innovation, the Luka 3 keeps the magic going for these three reasons.

1. Speed and Control

In addition to his notable gameplay, Dončić is known for being passionate about high-performance sports cars, and the Luka 3 taps into the attributes he loves most about them: smooth acceleration and handling, geared toward quick turns and stop-on-a-dime traction.

Part of the Luka 3's design is a nod toward this, too, with a herringbone pattern inspired by racing cars. Even the pull tabs are modeled after seat belt material. Spoiler: The blend of Dončić's skills and his enthusiasm for high-performance cars are why the colorways are called Midnight Racer and Photo Finish.

How the Nike Luka 3 Advances the Game

2. IsoPlate Technology and Cushlon 3.0 Foam

In creating the Luka 3, Nike designers evolved the IsoPlate, a technology specifically developed for Luka. This tech widens the lateral support and removes sections of the plate's sidewall. That translates to a lighter shoe while keeping the player locked in over the footbed, providing the ability to take full advantage of lateral and diagonal movements.

This technology has been fundamental for the Nike Luka since day one, and it continues a legacy of Jordan Brand performance innovations like Flight Plate and Eclipse Plate. Advancing the IsoPlate provides a new level of agility for quick directional changes, particularly when combined with the shoe's full-length Cushlon 3.0 foam, which allows for a smooth heel-to-toe transition. Speed up, slow down, step back, attack the basket: Whatever you need to do in the moment, the Luka 3 has got you.

How the Nike Luka 3 Advances the Game

3. Sustainability

The Luka 3 builds on the performance benefits of the Luka 2 and raises the bar for sustainability throughout the Luka franchise. For the first time, every Luka 3 colorway is made with at least 20 percent recycled material by weight. For the Luka 2, only one colorway per season reached this threshold.

That puts the Luka 3 in the same category as some of Nike's most sustainably minded shoes, including Nike Dunks and Nike Air VaporMax, and makes it a leader in sustainability efforts for the Jordan line. When performance meets standout innovation and sports-car-level style, plus adds sustainability into the mix? That's magic.

Originally published: June 17, 2024

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