Nikola Jokic Shows No Remorse for Losing Temper Against Lu Dort’s Dirty Foul

Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has called out Lu Dort for 'unnecessary' foul.

Nikola Jokic Shows No Remorse for Losing Temper Against Lu Dort’s Dirty Foul

Nikola Jokic (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Nikola Jokic expressed no regret for his reaction to Lu Dort's foul during a physical game between the Nuggets and Thunder.
  • Dort received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected after a controversial hip check on Jokic.
  • The Thunder's victory improved their record to 46-15, maintaining their top position in the Western Conference.

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 in fifth place.

It was a clash that saw two MVP favorites go head-to-head. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. SGA 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, 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 incident caused a massive brawl and saw Jokic and Jaylin Williams nearly coming to blows. After the match, Jokic was asked about what had happened, and he made it clear he does not regret how he reacted to it.

Unnecessary move, and a necessary reaction. There is no such thing. I think there’s not supposed to be those things on a basketball floor. So it was just an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction by me.

The Serbian had no regrets for the events that took place after the foul. 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.

Shaquille O’Neal agrees with Nikola Jokic starting brawl over Lu Dort’s cheap shot

It was a physical battle between two sides that had playoff intensity to it. Officials have often been criticized for allowing Dort to get away with more contact than the average defender.

Former NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal stated that what Dort did amounted to a “cheap shot” on Inside the NBA show.

Hey, you could have hurt me. He was smart not to throw any punches. But he had to give him that intense look to show him, ‘I’m not playing’.

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.

David Adelman explains Nikola Jokic’s frustration

There has been a lot of criticism of referees for their lack of consistency in foul calling over the past few years. While Thunder do post the best defense in the NBA, many believe the referees let them off the hook more often than not.

In his post-match press conference, Nuggets head coach David Adelman spoke about Jokic’s frustration.

David Adelman
David Adelman (Image credits – Joknotfinished/X)

I think his frustration is sometimes because the game’s officiated differently out on the floor than it is near the basket. I think he was reacting to what was being done to him. When we play them again whatever it is in like 10 days I’m sure it’ll be the exact same way.

The Thunder have come out on top in 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.

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