(Video) Nikola Jokic Loses Temper After Lu Dort Foul Causing Brawl

Nikola Jokic picked up a technical foul, and Lu Dort was ejected for committing a flagrant 2 foul after the altercation.

(Video) Nikola Jokic Loses Temper After Lu Dort Foul Causing Brawl

Nikola Jokic (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Nikola Jokic and Lu Dort were involved in a heated altercation during a game, leading to Dort's ejection for a Flagrant 2 foul.
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder won the matchup against the Denver Nuggets 127-121 in overtime, maintaining their top position in the Western Conference.
  • Jokic recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists, while Dort contributed eight points and six rebounds before being ejected.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder wing Lu Dort were involved in an altercation during a matchup between the two Western Conference contenders on Friday night. In what was probably one of the games of the season, the defending champions came out on top as they registered a 127-121 overtime win over the Nuggets.

It was a much needed win for the Thunder with the San Antonio Spurs closing in on them for the top seed. The win propelled their record to 46-15 as they remain at the top of the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Nuggets sit at fourth place in the standings with a 37-23 record. They are now tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are currently at fifth place.

It was a game that saw two MVP favorites go head-to-head. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his return from injury after three weeks and scored a team-high 36 points to go along with three rebounds and nine assists while controlling the tempo down the stretch. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic continues to amaze fans and added another triple double to his season as he recorded 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists.

Lu Dort is a name fans do not hear often. But he has become one of the best wing defenders in the league and is one of the main reasons why the Thunder pose the strongest defense in the NBA. He is a fundamentally good defender and is often tasked with guarding the opponent’s primary ball-handler. But Dort has been guilty of some dirty fouls throughout his careers and it was no different on Friday night.

In the fourth quarter of the game, Dort contacted Jokic with his hip as he was running up the floor. The three-time MVP took exception to the foul, which led to the incident. The Serbian confronted Dort after the contact before nearly coming to blows with Jaylin Williams.

Dort was given a Flagrant 2 foul after a review and was ejected from the contest. He ended his night with eight points and six rebounds. Jokic and Williams picked up technical fouls after being separated.

Fans react to Nikola Jokic’s confrontation with Lu Dort after dirty play

It was a physical battle between two sides that had playoff intensity to it. They will be looking to make deep postseason runs and are likely to bump into each other in the playoffs.

Following the brawl, NBA fans were quick to react to the incident across social media.

Most fans were happy to see Jokic stand up to Dort as the Thunder defender is well known for getting away with such acts. Officials have often been criticized for allowing Dort to get away with more contact than the average defender.

Charles Barkley reacts after Lu Dort tripped Nikola Jokic

It was the climax of a game that, from the opening tip, was unusually physical for a late-February matchup. Dort is averaging 2.9 personal fouls per game this season, the highest mark among all Thunder players.

Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic (Image credits – NikolaJokiclove/X)

On Inside the NBA show, former NBA star Charles Barkley reacted to the incident which took place between Jokic and Dort.

He [Dort] tripped that man [Jokic]. I think where Joker is sensitive is when you get hurt, and then somebody do something dirty to you, … your antennas are up.

Charles Barkley said on Inside the NBA

The Thunder have won both their matches against the Nuggets this season, leaving a display of superiority. The two sides are scheduled for two more clashes on March 9 and April 10.

Also Read: