Nuggets Vs Thunder: Jokić Confronts Lu Dort After Trip as Thunder Prevail in Overtime
Tempers boiled over in the fourth quarter of Nuggets Vs Thunder when Lu Dort stuck out his leg and tripped Nikola Jokić, prompting an angry on-court confrontation that ended with Dort ejected and the Oklahoma City Thunder taking a 127-121 overtime victory.
Nuggets Vs Thunder: The incident that changed the tone
Jokić was jogging up the floor after Oklahoma City scored when Lu Dort stuck out his right leg and tripped him; officials initially called a common foul. Jokić immediately confronted Dort, putting his chest into the Thunder wing. Jaylin Williams came to Dort’s defense and exchanged shoves with Jokić at midcourt. Players and coaches from both teams rushed to the scene, it took a while before the two were pried loose, and replay showed the contact as a hip check with an outstretched leg.
Ejections, technicals and official rulings
Following review, Dort’s foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 and he was ejected. Jokić and Jaylin Williams received matching technical fouls that were offset, allowing both to remain in the game. Crew chief James Williams explained the contact was deemed unnecessary and excessive with a high potential for injury and that the contact led to an altercation that did not dissolve. Officials determined Jokić did not throw a punch when he swiped at Williams with his left hand; under the rulebook a punch is automatically punished by ejection and a suspension of at least one game. Neither Dort nor Jaylin Williams were made available for comment after the game.
Player reactions and coach comments
Nikola Jokić characterized Dort’s action as an unnecessary move that merited his reaction. He expressed confidence he would not be ejected, saying he had not done anything warranting removal and declining further comment about the exchange with Jaylin Williams. Nuggets forward Cam Johnson said he did not see the play because his back was turned but called it a cheap shot sufficient for Dort’s ejection. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault described the game as chippy, noting the teams had met in a seven-game series previously, are in the same division and have a long history against each other; he said it simply boiled over and insisted players were not trying to hurt anyone. Daigneault added that if a player like J-Will is tripped, the team would expect a Flagrant 2 going forward. Nuggets coach David Adelman said he still needed to rewatch the incident.
How the game unfolded: comeback, clutch moments and overtime
Denver led by as many as 16 points in the first quarter, and Jokić tied the game with 38 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. Alex Caruso’s driving attempt at the buzzer in regulation bounced off the rim and sent the contest to extra time. In overtime Oklahoma City struck first, scoring the first five points and shutting down Denver in the extra period to secure a 127-121 final.
Standout performances and roster notes
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal strain after missing nine games and played 34 minutes, finishing with 36 points and 9 assists; he remained on the bench in overtime because of a minutes restriction. Chet Holmgren added 15 points, 21 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Thunder’s depth made a difference, with Jaylin Williams, Alex Caruso and Jared McCain all making key plays down the stretch; Caruso also played a pivotal role in overtime. For Denver, Nikola Jokić posted a 23-point triple-double on 9-of-25 shooting with 17 rebounds and 14 assists, while Jamal Murray led all scorers with 39 points. Only two other Nuggets scored more than seven points.
Standings and implications
The win pushed the Thunder to 46-15, keeping them two games clear of the San Antonio Spurs atop the Western Conference. The Nuggets sit at 37-23, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for fourth place. The incident and its fallout add another competitive, chippy chapter to a matchup that could have playoff ramifications between familiar division rivals.
