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Lu Dort Gets Honest About Nuggets During Thunder's Title Run
Lu Dort Gets Honest About Nuggets During Thunder's Title Run originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off their best season in the young history of their franchise by winning their first Larry O'Brien Trophy. To some, it wasn't a surprise to see the Thunder win it all, especially after their dominant regular season. Advertisement They earned the No. 1 overall seed throughout the playoffs with their 68-14 record. To demonstrate their dominance, they finished 16 games ahead of the No. 2-seeded Houston Rockets. After their first playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies, some believed the Thunder would blaze through the playoffs. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball against Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) during the 2025 NBA Finals.© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Lu Dort gets honest about Nuggets during Thunder's title run While they made quick work of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, one team that gave the Thunder trouble along the way in the playoffs was the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets pushed the eventual champions to seven games and even had a chance to eliminate them from the playoffs altogether. Advertisement This is something that Thunder forward Lu Dort admitted, comparing it to when they were down to the Indiana Pacers. "Denver Nuggets was the one that had us shaking a little bit," Dort said. "They won before and had been in that type of position." Dort had this to say regarding Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers, when they were down 2-1. "We were a little nervous," Dort said. "I'm gonna be honest, but we just knew that we could get it done." The Thunder were overwhelming favorites to defeat the Pacers, so the Pacers pushing the series to seven games came as a shock to some. But once Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles, there was little doubt that the Thunder would pull it out, despite a late push from the Pacers. Advertisement The Thunder return much of their production from this championship team, and are overwhelming favorites to repeat as champions next season. They say repeating as champions is the hardest thing to do in team sports, and the Thunder will put that to the test in the upcoming season. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Reuters
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Thunder parade championship trophy through OKC
June 24 - A shirtless Shai Gilgeous-Alexander toted the NBA Finals MVP trophy behind a parade float Tuesday, raising his left hand to the beat of chants of "MVP, MVP" from the crowd as Oklahoma City turned out in temperatures approaching triple-digits to celebrate the Thunder's first championship. Alexander, who began the day in a white tank with his Canadian flag shirt tied around his waist, carried the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to the barricade so fans could touch the hardware. Accounting for humidity, the heat index at the peak of the parade was 101 degrees according to AccuWeather. Thick air didn't slow down the party for the Thunder or thousands of fans assembled for a celebration that started in Midtown on Tuesday morning. Defensive stopper Lu Dort and 7-footer Chet Holmgren showered attendees with champagne, first from the second level of the team's double-decker bus and later from the top of a golf cart. "It's very hot out here, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet," Jalen Williams said. "Without this, none of this is possible without you guys. You guys have been through the ups and downs of the Thunder organization. We appreciate you guys. We love you guys." Isaiah Hartenstein said he hadn't slept for 36 hours, unlike his young son, who was fast asleep in his father's arms in the immediate aftermath of the team's Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. "It's amazing. To experience it with the family, with the community, it's been really special," Hartenstein said. The celebration included a stage for the closing ceremony at Scissortail Park. Thunder fans packed close to the stage and again Gilgeous-Alexander entered the crowd, bringing the trophy through throngs of supporters for pictures and an up-close opportunity with the NBA's championship prize. Aaron Wiggins ignited the crowd with a brief speech that touched on humble beginnings as the 55th pick to a franchise that won 24 games during his rookie season. "There was a point where they tried to call us the black hole of the NBA," Wiggins said. "But four years later, when they mention the Thunder organization when they mention (owner) Clay Bennett, (general manager) Sam Presti, (head coach) Mark Daigneault and every single one of you in this arena, they've got to mention you as NBA champs. And that's it!" --Field Level Media
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Finals Game 7 is a different beast, but Lu Dort has shined in a Game 7 before
Tears glistened in Lu Dort's eyes while he spoke to the media. Even the stellar ball stopper couldn't prevent some of them from getting past his hardened defense, as they slowly streamed down his baby face. Advertisement The emotions overwhelmed Dort, who'd just scored a career-high 30 points as an undrafted rookie only for OKC to still suffer a Game 7 loss to Houston in the first round of the 2020 NBA playoffs. "It's a blessing just to be here," Dort told reporters with pain-filled pauses. "It didn't end up going our way, but it was big. It was big. It was a helluva season I had, and I'm grateful for that." Dort still remembers the pain of letting that Game 7 slip through his hands. But they've become far more calloused since then, toughened by countless nights of blue-collar contributions to the Thunder's success. Now, nearly five years later, Dort will try to leave his fingerprints on an even bigger Game 7. The biggest one of them all. Advertisement NBA Finals roundtable: How can OKC Thunder win Game 7? What is path for Indiana Pacers? OKC will host Indiana at 7 p.m. Sunday in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The winning team will secure its first NBA championship in franchise history. "It was good, especially early in my career," Dort said Saturday when asked about his 2020 Game 7 experience. "I didn't know what to expect. I never knew what a Game 7 felt like. Just the nervousness and all of the stuff that you feel before a game like that. "I've felt that before (now). You've just got to approach it like any other game. You go out there and play your best and live with the results." Advertisement Even the Thunder couldn't have predicted the perfect storm that was Dort's Game 7 performance against Houston. After going undrafted in 2019, the Arizona State alum joined OKC on a two-way contract. That was eventually converted to a standard deal after the season was suspended due to COVID-19. Dort cracked the starting lineup with regular-season averages of 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists. They were solid numbers for a sturdy defender with a budding shot. But Dort used the bright lights of the playoffs to blossom. The then-21-year-old guard became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 30 points in a Game 7. And despite going 7 for 38 from deep (18.4%) throughout the first six games of the series, he went 6 for 12 in that department (50%). Advertisement MUSSATTO: Thunder has won its 'must-win' games. Now comes Game 7, biggest test of all. Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 8. Oklahoma City won 123-107. Dort's final 3-point attempt, a potential game winner, was blocked by James Harden with about five seconds left in regulation. That sealed Houston's 104-102 victory. Still, there was no denying the obvious. After a lengthy journey from his home country of Canada to college to the G League to the Thunder, Dort had arrived. "It was one of the most impressive things that I've seen out of a player that young," Billy Donovan, OKC's head coach at the time, said after the game. "Here's a guy who was in the G League and never got drafted. ... He really did a lot of good things. It was unfortunate at the end of the game that (his) shot got blocked because he was playing so well." Advertisement Dort also shined on defense in the losing effort. Harden's iconic beard wasn't the only thing attached to his face throughout the game. So was Dort's hand. Despite averaging a league-leading 34.3 points that season, Harden only finished with 17 points. He went 4 for 15 from the field (26.7%) and 1 for 9 from deep (11.1%). CARLSON: Thunder, Pacers have 'a privilege' in basketball's holy grail — NBA Finals Game 7 Oklahoma City guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter during game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Monday, June 16, 2025. 'He doesn't care about anything but playing hard,' Harden said of Dort after the game. 'As a young guy coming into this league, that's all you can ask for. ... He has the right mindset of just playing hard and playing balls to the wall, and he don't care what anybody thinks. He's gonna have a great career.' Advertisement Harden was one of the first victims of the "Dorture Chamber," which has since become one of the most feared forms of punishment in the NBA. Dort landed on the All-Defensive first team this season for the first time in his career, and he has lived up to that selection in the Finals. The 6-foot-4 guard has showcased his versatility by helping defend both Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. He has even knocked down his shots when needed, going 51.7% from deep on 4.8 attempts per game. Dort will do whatever it takes to win. That'll surely be the case Sunday for the fiery competitor, who's familiar with the burning pain of a Game 7 loss. Advertisement "You know that if you win, you'll be happy for a long time," Dort said of Game 7s. "And if you lose, you'll be mad for a long time. ... We know that we've got to give it our all." Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@ or on X/Twitter at @JTheSportsDude. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at More: Why Thunder homecourt advantage vs Pacers may be an understatement in Game 7 of NBA Finals NBA Finals Game 7: Thunder vs. Pacers TIPOFF: 7 p.m. Sunday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (ABC) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How Lu Dort grew after OKC Thunder's Game 7 loss in 2020 NBA Playoffs
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is Luguentz Dort? What to know about OKC Thunder star in 2025 NBA Finals vs Pacers
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Luguentz Dort will be a key factor for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Among those starting for the Thunder will be Lu Dort. Known for his great defense, the 26-year-old Dort was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team this year. Advertisement Here's a deeper look at Dort. More: Celebrate OKC Thunder's amazing season and run to NBA Finals with our commemorative book More: Mark Daigneault's hometown always believed in Thunder coach, long before NBA Finals run Where did Lu Dort play college basketball? Lu Dort spent one season at Arizona State, averaging 16.1 points per game for the Sun Devils. More: The Jalen Williams Way: How OKC Thunder forward paved a path to stardom, NBA Finals Where was Lu Dort selected in NBA Draft? Dort was not selected in the NBA Draft. He signed with the Thunder as an undrafted free agent in 2019. More: Carlson: How Chet Holmgren rebounded from hip injury to help power Thunder to NBA Finals What is Lu Dort's contract with OKC Thunder? Dort is in Year 3 of a five-year, $82.5-million contract with the Thunder, according to Spotrac. Advertisement More: NBA Finals 2025: From Loud City to Pacers Nation, get to know OKC and Indianapolis Lu Dort's stats for 2024-25 season Games: 71 Points: 10.1 per game Rebounds: 4.1 per game Assists: 1.6 per game Steals: 1.1 per game Blocks: 0.5 per game Field-goal shooting: 43.5% 3-point shooting: 41.2% Free-throw shooting: 71.7% Latest OKC Thunder news in NBA Finals This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who is Lu Dort? What to know about OKC Thunder star in 2025 NBA Finals
CBC
24-06-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Gilgeous-Alexander's NBA crown could spark Canada basketball's next boom
Social Sharing Like many Canadians, Michael Bartlett watched Game 7 of the NBA Finals with bated breath. But as Canada Basketball's president and CEO, he had a unique rooting interest, with players on both teams. Hamilton's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Montreal's Lu Dort helped the Oklahoma City Thunder capture their first-ever championship, defeating Andrew Nembhard of Aurora, Ont., and Montreal's Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers. Bartlett said he was thrilled for all four Canadians, no matter who came out on top. "Oh, it was uncontrollable at times," said Bartlett in a phone interview on Monday morning. "I looked up, it was 4:50 left on the clock in Game 7 last night, and four Canadians are on the court playing meaningful minutes in crunch time with the ball in their hands. Gosh, that's exciting. "There's nothing better than seeing people you care about, truly care about, and they care about you, shine when they have the opportunity to shine." Bartlett said all of Canada Basketball's staff were exchanging texts throughout the climactic game, which Oklahoma City ultimately won 103-91. Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort are the 11th and 12th Canadians to win an NBA title, and Bartlett believes the experience gained by all four players will benefit Canada's senior men's team. "They're learning how to win on the toughest of stages, which you also can't help but draw a connection to when we're in a tough situation, a game on the line, winner goes home," he said. Gilgeous-Alexander will be a key to Canada's future success. He became the fourth player in league history to win the scoring title, MVP, NBA championship and Finals MVP in the same season, joining Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O'Neal. Rowan Barrett, the general manager of Canada's men's senior basketball team, said Gilgeous-Alexander's experience in the post-season will help him in international competition because, through each round of the playoffs, he faced the opposing team's toughest defenders. "It's got to help your national team at some point when he's back in the fold playing," said Barrett. "Those experiences, the pressure, the different ways they try to guard him, the different ways you've got to bring your teammates along while balancing attacking the defence every possession, all those things, I think are going to help him. "I think it will help the other players that were playing in the Finals as well." WATCH | Gilgeous-Alexander named Finals MVP as Thunder win NBA title: Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA Finals MVP as Oklahoma City Thunder win championship 1 day ago Duration 2:03 'Had to prove some doubters wrong' Gilgeous-Alexander was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA draft but was traded the same day to the Los Angeles Clippers. After one season in L.A., he was sent to Oklahoma City in a blockbuster deal that brought all-star guard Paul George to the Clippers. TSN basketball commentator Tamika Nurse, who is also from Hamilton, said how Gilgeous-Alexander carries himself through difficult times perfectly embodies the Ontario city's ethos. "Hamilton is built on blue-collar workers, Steeltown, they call it," she said. "A lunch pail and hard hat kinda town, and that's exactly what he is. "He really had to work hard. He really had to prove some doubters wrong. This is a guy who was drafted and then traded and then traded again, right?" WATCH | Montréal-Nord fans celebrate hometown hero Dort's NBA title: Montréal-Nord residents thrilled as hometown hero Luguentz Dort wins NBA championship 17 hours ago Duration 0:42 Michael Naraine, an associate professor of sport management at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., said Gilgeous-Alexander's season, one of the best-ever by a Canadian in any sport, and the Finals performances of Dort, Nembhard and Mathurin have created a unique opportunity for Canada Basketball. Naraine sees it as like the creation of the Toronto Raptors in 1995, the emergence of Vince Carter as a superstar in the late 1990s, Steve Nash's back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006, and the Raptors' NBA championship in 2019. "It's going to create another wave of people wanting to pick up the game and that's going to be both on the men's and women's side, boys and girls are going to want to pick up the game because they see that the No. 1 men's professional basketball player in the world right now is Canadian," said Naraine. "If you are living in Montreal, if you're living in Dorval, you're looking at this going well, you know, our Canadian teams in hockey didn't do so great. "But then you're looking at Dort or Mathurin saying, 'Hey, look, here's this kid with these Haitian roots, growing up in Montreal. That could be me."' Bartlett also compared these NBA Finals to those other moments in Canadian basketball history that fed into the growing popularity of the sport. "We want there to be no shortage of opportunities for kids at all skill levels to be able to play this game and to stay in love and play this game for as long as they want," said Bartlett. "What does that look like for somebody who's still involved in the game (in their 40s), either as a player, as a coach, as an official. "Are there enough great coaches, well-trained coaches, to teach the game the right way in Canada, in gyms across this country? Canada Basketball can't be in every gym, but we can develop a curriculum that lives through every gym, that coaches are taught the right way, and then officiating as well. That's a big part of it, too."
