Jokic Calls Dort Trip 'Unnecessary' After Altercation

Nuggets star reacts to controversial play in game against Thunder

Mar. 3, 2026 at 12:47am

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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic spoke out about an incident with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort during a recent game, calling Dort's trip of Jokic an "unnecessary move" while describing his own reaction as a "necessary" response.

Why it matters

Jokic is one of the NBA's biggest stars, and his comments on the altercation provide insight into how players and teams handle on-court confrontations and potential disciplinary actions.

The details

In the game, Dort appeared to intentionally trip Jokic after an exchange of words, leading to a brief altercation between the two players. Jokic later addressed the incident, stating that Dort's actions were "unnecessary" while defending his own reaction as appropriate given the circumstances.

  • The incident occurred during the Nuggets-Thunder game on February 28, 2026.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The star center for the Denver Nuggets and a two-time NBA MVP.

Lu Dort

A guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder known for his defensive intensity.

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What they’re saying

“Unnecessary move. And a necessary reaction.”

— Nikola Jokic

What’s next

The NBA is expected to review the incident and determine if any disciplinary action is warranted for either Jokic or Dort.

The takeaway

This altercation highlights the fine line NBA players must walk between defending themselves and avoiding escalation, as well as the league's ongoing efforts to promote sportsmanship and player safety.