Thunder confrontations escalate as Dort is ejected after fouling Jokic
Nikola Jokić angrily confronted Lu Dort after a fourth-quarter hip check that appeared to trip the three-time MVP, sparking a midcourt skirmish in Oklahoma City and prompting an ejection. The clash came in a game the thunder won 127-121 in overtime on Friday night.
What happened on the play
The incident unfolded in the fourth quarter when Thunder guard Lu Dort appeared to intentionally trip Nikola Jokić — at minimum a hip check with an outstretched leg. Jokić took exception and angrily confronted Dort. Dort's teammate Jaylin Williams then confronted Jokić and the two got physical as players and coaches from both sides rushed to midcourt. It took a while, but the two were eventually pried loose from each other.
Officials hand out penalties
Dort was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected. Nikola Jokić and Jaylin Williams received offsetting technical fouls. Crew chief James Williams said, "Lu Dort was assessed a flagrant foul penalty 2 because we deemed his contact on Jokic to be unnecessary and excessive with a high potential for injury, and also because the contact led to an altercation that did not dissolve. So, by rule, a flagrant foul penalty 2 carries an automatic ejection. "
Replay and reactions
Further replay showed a side of Jokić that some described as frankly terrifying. A social-media reaction included the line, "I will now have a nightmare tonight. You're welcome. " Images captured Jaylin Williams falling into Nikola Jokić as he went after a rebound, and showed Denver's Isaiah Hartenstein and Julian Strawther on the floor during the contest. Photos were credited to Kyle Phillips from the Feb. 27, 2026 game in Oklahoma City.
Game-deciding sequence
The game went to overtime after Jokić tied the game with 38 seconds left in regulation. The extra five minutes were one-sided in favor of the Thunder, who shut down the Nuggets and closed out a 127-121 overtime victory.
Key performances and context
Nikola Jokić finished with 23 points on 9-of-25 shooting, 17 rebounds and 14 assists. Jamal Murray led all scorers with 39 points. Only two other Nuggets scored more than seven points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, making his return from an abdominal strain, led Oklahoma City with 36 points and 9 assists in 34 minutes; he missed all of overtime because of a minutes restriction. Chet Holmgren added 15 points, 21 rebounds and 3 blocks. Denver had led by as many as 16 points in the first quarter before the Thunder mounted a comeback.
Standings and season context
The situation between the teams had been building. Oklahoma City beat Denver 4-3 in the Western Conference semifinals last season, and the Nuggets, especially Jokić, were committed to matching Oklahoma City’s aggressive style. Dort was a first-team All-Defensive selection last season with a reputation for pushing the boundaries of acceptable physical play. The Thunder's depth — including contributions from Jaylin Williams, Alex Caruso and Jared McCain — proved decisive down the stretch.
The win keeps the 46-15 Thunder two games ahead of the San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the West. The Nuggets are tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for fourth place at 37-23.
Friday night's game in Oklahoma City produced a tense sequence that included a perceived trip or hip check by Dort, an immediate confrontation by Jokić, an ensuing scrum involving Jaylin Williams, the ejection of Dort for a Flagrant 2, and technical fouls on Jokić and Williams.
