“Aura peaked”: Luka Doncic’s latest $5 million move sends fans into a frenzy as Lakers star drives Bugatti to practice

Luka Doncic pulled into Lakers practice on Thursday in one of the rarest cars on the road. The Bugatti Mistral is valued at about $5 million, only 99 were built, and it is the fastest open-top production road car on record. Video of the arrival spread fast online, and fans had plenty to say about it. Los Angeles plays Denver in its preseason finale on Friday and opens the season against Golden State on Oct. 21, so the Lakers guard gave the team a talking point before any real games count.Luka Doncic shows off his $5 million Bugatti as he drives to Lakers practiceLuka Doncic arrived in a Bugatti W16 Mistral, the newest addition to his collection. The 27-year-old Slovenian has been open about the hobby. Doncic spoke about cars at length in an interview with Sports Illustrated released Oct. 8.The Mistral tops out at 282 mph, or 454 km/h. As of November 2025, the garage held 15 cars, with the Mistral the newest. Snoop Dogg checked it out last November. The known list also includes a Koenigsegg Regera, a Rimac Nevera, a Ferrari 812 Superfast, a Brabus Rocket 1000, a Lamborghini Urus, a 1967 Ford Bronco and a Zastava 750.The car is a side note to the day job. Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 64 games last season while shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.6% from three. The reigning scoring champion landed on the All-NBA First Team again and placed fourth in MVP voting.How are fans reacting to Luka Doncic’s Bugatti arrival?Reaction came quickly on social media, and most of it was short and punchy. Helluva Ball Club (@Letweet23) posted, “Aura peaked.” IRE “SCHOTTY” (@TheWalkingDad69) went bigger with “MVP and Finals MVP.” Steven Gonzalez (@sixspeedsteve) wrote, “Probably so much fun to drive in LA.” Yosemite Damn (@WrittenbyHR) went with a superhero line: “He got that Bruce Wayne.”InfanityTV (@InfanityTV) called the entrance on-brand and recalled a JJ Redick story about a private plane for 14 to 16 guys headed to Slovenia. The post summed it up as pretty extra.The respect is not limited to fans. In the annual NBA GM Survey released Thursday, general managers voted Doncic the best small forward, 37 percent to Jayson Tatum’s 33. The Lakers star also placed third at point guard and third at shooting guard. Redick uses Doncic as a point guard on offense and a forward on defense, so the labels keep shifting. Not every coach gets a player who can fill just about any spot except center.Doncic and the Lakers face Denver at Crypto.com Arena on Friday, then get a few days off before hosting Golden State on Wednesday, Oct. 21.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.