The Oklahoma City Thunder is amid a thriller. Going back and forth with the Denver Nuggets, the latest game saw them put things back in balance. Winning Game 4 92-87, the Thunder has now tied the series 2-2. One of the most impressive athletes on the OKC squad has been their forward, Lu Dort. But despite his efforts on the court, he is seldom acknowledged. And Dort knows exactly why.
Lu Dort has been a menace to the opponent’s defense. Speaking about his lack of popularity, Dort stated that he was not ready to embrace the role of a villain. The lack of trash-talking from Dort is the most important reason why he is not as popular as the others. The OKC star further mentioned that he likes to keep it low-key and do his job diligently.
“I think it’s because I’m not a villain,” said Dort. “I’m not a guy that goes out there trash-talking and being loud. I do my job and move on. Even though I know they’re mad and having a bad game, I’m not gonna let them know that,” Dort tole ‘The Athletic.’
The true measure of the Nuggets’ greatness is amplified when Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray are working in tandem.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 12, 2025
But Sunday in Denver, Lu Dort won the Murray matchup — pivotal to Oklahoma City taking Game 4.
More, from @KellyIko ⤵️https://t.co/xk07zUREo3 pic.twitter.com/A9bf6Hb14j
The Thunder enjoys a significant advantage due to Dort’s strong build. While he averages just 10.1 points per game with 4.1 rebounds, Dort still remains a vital card in the Thunder’s arsenal. Meanwhile, with his daunting physicality causing problems for Ja Morant, Dort recently shed light on the matter.
Lu Dort Opines On The Ja Morant Mishap
During Game 3 of their first-round playoff, the Memphis Grizzlies’ star, Ja Morant, suffered a brutal crash. With just over 3 minutes left for the second quarter, Morant set himself up for a thunderous dunk. However, blocking his way was none other than Lu Dort. As both of them leapt up in the air, the collision sent Morant crashing. Soon after the game was over, Dort reflected on the entire situation.
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“Tough one. Obviously I hope he’s okay. I was running back, making a hustle play for my team. I was running quick, stopped on a dime,” Dort said. “I didn’t know he was behind me, and I was slipping. I tried to make a play on the ball, but we just ran into each other and he fell down. But I hope he’s okay. I didn’t mean to hit him like that.”
Lu Dort on Ja Morant:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 25, 2025
“I was slipping. I tried to make a play on the ball, but we just ran into each other, and he fell down. But I hope he’s OK. I didn’t mean to hit him like that.”
(via @memphisnews) pic.twitter.com/cTTe6xUIZS
Thus, with the situation looking a bit serious, it remains to be seen how things pan out for Lu Dort.
Also Read: Is Lu Dort’s Physical Play Crossing The Line? A Closer Look At His Most Controversial Fouls
