The Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort faced an unfortunate situation during a recent game against the Dallas Mavericks. In the second half, things got rough for the Thunders as they faced difficulties when the officials ejected Dort for committing a Flagrant 2 foul.
Midway through the third quarter, with the Mavericks leading 74-68. Dort was attempting to navigate around a screen set by center Daniel Gafford for guard Kyrie Irving. In the process, Dort inadvertently struck Gafford in the groin area, prompting officials to review the play. He was ultimately ejected from the game with 6:50 remaining in the period.
Dort’s ejection came at a critical juncture for the Thunder, as they were already in a challenging battle against a resilient Mavericks team. His absence shifted the momentum heavily in favor of Dallas, who outscored Oklahoma City 31-21 in that quarter alone. After Dort left the game, the Thunder, led by stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, struggled to keep pace defensively, ultimately losing the game 121-115.
How long can we make this thread tonight? pic.twitter.com/y8mkzE8jRQ
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) January 24, 2025
This defeat dropped the Thunder to 36-8 on the season and cost them the league’s best record. Despite the setback, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams showcased their prowess, combining for an impressive 64 points. However, the Thunder will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for upcoming games against the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors.
Lu Dort Is Only Getting Better With Time
Despite the ejection, Lu Dort has been on an ascension of his perimeter shooting. He has come a long way in the league, from being undrafted to a showman for the Thunders. Initially struggling as a rookie with a sub-30% shooting rate from beyond the arc, Dort has transformed his game over the years.
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Last season marked a turning point for him, as he approached the 40% mark on his 3-point attempts. Now, Dort continues to build on that momentum, and he is hitting an impressive 42.7% from deep this season.
🏀 SUNDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes the NBA lead in 30-PT games this season as the @okcthunder win a franchise-best 15th consecutive game!
Aaron Wiggins: 15 PTS, 3 3PM
Lu Dort: 14 PTS, 6 REB, 4 3PM pic.twitter.com/pRRpVv558n
What sets Dort apart this season is not just his shooting percentage but how he’s adapted within the Thunder’s offensive scheme. By embracing a more measured approach, he allows the game to come to him instead of forcing shots. And that has luckily led to more efficient scoring. In just 43 games, he has recorded several standout performances, including multiple outings with six or more 3-pointers made.
Dort’s recent surge in perimeter shooting could not have come at a better time for the Thunder. There is already a challenging schedule on a due. While it’s unlikely he will maintain his current blistering pace, his development as a reliable 3-and-D player could solve issues at the Thunder camp.
