Jokic Brushes Off Dort's Flagrant Foul in Nuggets-Thunder Clash

Nuggets star shows no grudges after latest physical matchup with Thunder wing

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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In the latest heated matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was on the receiving end of another flagrant foul from Thunder wing Luguentz Dort. However, unlike their previous encounter, Jokic did not believe Dort crossed the line this time, saying "It was over since last time." Jokic is known for his even-keeled approach and is letting bygones be bygones, focusing on the task at hand rather than harboring any grudges.

Why it matters

The physical battles between the Nuggets and Thunder have been a recurring storyline in their Northwest Division rivalry. Jokic's ability to move past the latest incident and keep his composure shows his maturity as a leader, which will be crucial as the Nuggets look to overcome the Thunder and secure a playoff spot.

The details

Late in the Nuggets' 129-126 loss to the Thunder, Dort accidentally hit Jokic in the face while trying to get over a screen, leading to a flagrant foul call. This came after a previous incident where Dort seemed to intentionally trip up Jokic, nearly sparking an all-out brawl between the teams. However, Jokic did not believe Dort crossed the line this time, saying the issue was "over since last time" and that he does not harbor any grudges.

  • On February 27th, Dort committed a flagrant foul on Jokic that nearly sparked a brawl between the teams.
  • On March 9th, Dort was called for another flagrant foul on Jokic late in the Nuggets' loss to the Thunder.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The star center of the Denver Nuggets, known for his even-keeled approach and ability to move past physical confrontations.

Luguentz Dort

The physical wing player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who has been involved in multiple heated incidents with Jokic and the Nuggets.

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What they’re saying

“No, (he did not cross the line). It was over since last time.”

— Nikola Jokic (ESPN)

What’s next

The Nuggets and Thunder are likely to meet again in the playoffs, where their physical battles are sure to continue. Jokic's ability to keep his composure will be crucial for the Nuggets' success.

The takeaway

Nikola Jokic's mature and forgiving approach to the latest physical confrontation with Luguentz Dort and the Thunder shows why he is one of the NBA's most respected stars. His ability to move past grudges and focus on the task at hand will be key as the Nuggets look to overcome their Northwest Division rivals in the postseason.