Thunder's Lu Dort regrets flagrant 2 on Nikola Jokić: 'I went over the limit'

The Oklahoma City wing called his flagrant foul in Friday's win over Denver unnecessary, but stressed he's not a dirty player.

Mar. 4, 2026 at 12:36pm

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Lu Dort, a physical defender for the Oklahoma City Thunder, received a flagrant 2 foul for an unnecessary contact with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić during their recent game. Dort acknowledged that he went too far with the contact, saying he "went over the limit" and that the play was "unnecessary". However, Dort rejected the notion that he is a dirty player, stating that he is just a competitive and physical defender who is tasked with guarding the league's best players every night.

Why it matters

The incident between Dort and Jokić highlights the physical nature of their matchup and the ongoing rivalry between the two teams. It also raises questions about where the line should be drawn between physical, competitive play and actions that cross over into "dirty" territory, especially for players like Dort who are known for their aggressive defense.

The details

In the game, Dort received a flagrant 2 foul for an unnecessary contact with Jokić as the Nuggets were inbounding the ball. The contact sent Jokić tumbling to the floor, leading to Dort's ejection. Dort later acknowledged that the play was "unnecessary" and that he "went over the limit". The game was also marked by other physical plays, including a technical foul on Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for throwing the ball at Jokić.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, March 4, 2026.
  • Dort spoke about the incident after the Thunder's win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Lu Dort

A 6-foot-4 guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who is known for his physical, aggressive defense.

Nikola Jokić

The three-time MVP center for the Denver Nuggets, known for his physicality and ability to match up with physical defenders.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The reigning MVP and star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

David Adelman

The head coach of the Denver Nuggets.

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What they’re saying

“That's a physical game and there's limits to it. And I went over the limit.”

— Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder player

“For Dort to take that shot — and then I guess it wasn't that big of a deal from their (the Thunder's) standpoint, how they looked at it — is ridiculous.”

— David Adelman, Denver Nuggets head coach

“They were right. That was an unnecessary move by me, something I shouldn't have done.”

— Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder player

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.