The Luka Doncic trade is already stamped as arguably the most seismic transaction in modern NBA history. Wonder Boy’s magic is now for Tinsel Town rather than Dallas, but the same level of excellence we’ve come to expect from the Slovenian phenom remains. Relatedly, his spotlight within Jordan Brand has only grown in his new digs, now coming to a head again as the Jordan Luka 5 is officially unveiled.
In many ways, the Luka 5 builds off of the foundation of its predecessor. The IsoPlate technology that added stability to the 4 now gains an “IsoBand,” a strip of more flexile material that means bendy on-court moves and cuts won’t be lost in the pursuit of overall rigidity. An Air Zoom unit now defines the forefoot, creating a full-length setup for the proprietary cushioning, wrapped in Cushlon foam for the complete package. Whereas the Luka 4 utilized herringbone from edge to edge, its sequel keeps it centered underfoot while surrounding it with lined patterning as you move toward the upper. On the new hardware notes, Doncic shares:
“Working with Jordan Brand on the Luka 5 was about making something that fits my game and keeps evolving with me. The full-length Zoom Strobel and ISOband give me that extra pop and control so I can attack from any spot on the floor. Every time I lace them up, I know I’m ready to go.”
Aesthetically, the significant shift is a move away from the curvilinear patch on the lateral, instead moving to a sharper-lined design, fitting given the “Viper” inspiration coursing through the first few colorways. Like “Lake Bled” colorways before them, the Luka 5 “Viper Edge” and “Venom” find their roots in Slovenia, pulled from local fauna and the cold-blooded confidence Luka sees in them. We’ve also uncovered a “Black/Bright Crimson,” additionally teeing off this January.
Finally, Jordan Brand’s marketing effort maintains the villainous candor we first saw in the “Trial of Luka Doncic,” playing off of the disparity between #77’s understated off-court demeanor and his edgy on-court persona. While he and the Jumpman teased that “Luka’s been doing some reflecting,” the reveal “Bad Luka, Nice Shoes” spot shows the All-NBAer passively aggressively shipping pairs of the Luka 5 to longtime adversaries, from referees to Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Jordan Luka 5 begins with the “Venom” and “Viper Edge” colorways on January 8th, retailing for $130 and $140, respectively. The black/green will also touch down in kids’ sizing, commanding a $105 sticker price. Catch detailed images of all three colorways mentioned throughout this piece via the galleries below, and watch our Jordan Release Dates page for more updates.
