The Best Pics From Luka Dončić’s Sports Illustrated Magazine Cover Photoshoot

Luka Dončić graces the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 2026–27 basketball preview magazine. Here are the best snapshots from the photoshoot in his native Slovenia.

Luka Dončić is the cover athlete for Sports Illustrated’s 2026–27 basketball preview magazine. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Luka Dončić is truly one of one.

Back in August, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix tagged along with the Lakers for a trip to the superstar’s hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia, for a glimpse at what makes him tick. In the feature story, Dončić opens up about his personal life, his on-court demeanor and his one big regret from last season.

• READ: Inside the Mind (and Roots) of Luka Dončić, the New Face of the Lakers

Dončić is the cover athlete of Sports Illustrated’s 2026–27 basketball preview magazine, which will hit newsstands in October and is available for purchase now:

Scroll forth for the best pictures from Dončić’s photoshoot with SI:

Dončić is entering his second full season with the Lakers in 2026–27. | Erick W. Rasco/ Sports Illustrated

Dončić and the Lakers visited his hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia, this offseason. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

With LeBron James in Philadelphia, the Lakers are officially Luka’s team now. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

During his cover shoot, Dončić wore a bracelet made by one of his two young daughters. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Off the basketball court, one of Luka’s newfound passions in life is the sport of golf. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Luka Dončić owns many cars, including the Brabus Rocket 1000, a limited-production Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance—one of 25 in the world. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Luka Dončić’s career accolades heading into the 2026–27 season: six-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA and a two-time scoring champ. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Dončić won one of his scoring titles with the Lakers last season, averaging 33.5 points per game. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

In the cover story written by SI’s Chris Mannix, Dončić expresses his confidence in the new-look Lakers roster built around him. | Erick W. Rasco/ Sports Illustrated

A look at the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 2026–27 basketball preview magazine, out now! | Sports Illustrated

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