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Brandon Ingram planted his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath and find a reprieve from the Dorture Chamber.
It was late in the second game of the Thunder’s opening playoff series against the Pelicans a couple of years ago, and Lu Dort had been assigned to New Orleans’ top scorer. When Ingram was on the floor, so was Dort. Wherever Ingram went, there was Dort.
A teammate’s free throws gave Ingram a moment to regroup, but instead, here came Dort, resting his hand and forearm on Ingram’s back.
The ultimate I’m-not-going-anywhere move.
Except that now Dort is.
On Sunday morning, the Thunder traded Dort as part of a three-team deal. There are picks and players and lots of moving parts involved, including the fact that OKC’s salary is no longer over the second apron and on the hook for a massive tax bill, but the most important thing is this — Lu Dort is no longer a Thunder.
More: Why Isaiah Joe will always call OKC 'home' even after Thunder-Pistons trade
The last time that happened was before COVID. Before Oklahoma City passed MAPS 4, much less the bond for a new downtown arena.
In other words, it’s been a minute.
For seven seasons, we have been treated to defensive decadence, thanks to Dort. Sure, he became more than a great defender, adding a three-point shot that scraped the clouds but splashed through in some of the biggest moments of this franchise’s history. And yes, Dort also got plenty of defensive sidekicks in recent years, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace prime among them, but the beating heart of the Thunder’s historic defense has long been the burly Canadian.
Watching him work was a treat.
Unless, of course, you were on the receiving end of his defense.
James Harden was among the first to realize what a drag that could be. He and his Houston Rockets were actually the opponent the first time Dort started a game for the Thunder, January 20, 2020.
Harden’s stat line that night: 9 of 29, including 1 of 17 from behind the arc, for 29 points, six assists and four turnovers.
Dort was a starter from then on.
More: Thunder shuts down Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz for rest of NBA Summer League, falls to Mavs
So of course, when the Thunder and Rockets met in the first round of the 2020 playoffs, held in the Orlando pandemic bubble, Dort was charged with hounding Harden again.
Now, to set this up, Harden was only two years removed from being the MVP and was actually an MVP finalist that season. Dort, on the other hand, had spent much of that season on a two-way contract, bouncing back and forth between the Thunder and the Blue.
It didn’t seem like a fair fight.
And lots of times, it wasn’t — in favor of Dort. Oh, sure, Harden got his points and ultimately hit the shot that sent the Thunder home, but there were lots of times when Harden looked like he’d rather be anywhere other than on that court with Dort in front of him.
Zach Lowe, he of all things analytic in the NBA, wrote a lengthy piece for ESPN back then about the Harden-Dort matchup. Lowe brought all sorts of receipts, video clips showing Dort’s mastery.
“There are maybe four or five humans alive — if that,” Lowe wrote, “who can do this to James freaking Harden.”
Then there was a six-second clip showing Harden dribbling at the top of the key, Dort down in a defensive stance, shadowing every move. Harden crossed over; Dort didn’t bite. Harden went between the legs; nothing.
More: How injuries helped OKC Thunder's Payton Sandfort gain perspective on NBA opportunity
Finally, Harden broke hard to his left and drove toward the basket, but Dort stayed with him. Step for step. Right arm extended.
And when Harden reached the block and sent a shot toward the basket, that right hand swatted the ball out of bounds.
A human cinder block with quick feet and an unrelenting motor.
That’s how Lowe described Dort, and it’s perfect really.
Dort quickly became a thorn in the side of just about every elite perimeter scorer in the league. Punch in just about any name that fits that bill on StatMuse, and you’ll see how hard Dort made their lives.
Harden vs. Dort: 20.5 points in 13 games.
Harden’s career average: 24.0.
Luka vs. Dort: 27.9 points in 11 games.
Luka’s career average: 29.2.
Ant vs. Dort: 22.9 points in 18 games.
Ant’s career average: 24.6.
Even though Dort didn’t get his ultimate flowers until recently, finally being named first-team All-Defense after the 2024-25 season, his reputation as a defensive doberman was solidified well before that. Dort was asked at media day before the start of his third season what he’d done during the offseason to prepare his body. He reported that he’d started doing jiu-jitsu.
More: Lu Dort may strike fear into OKC Thunder opponents, but he's a 'good dude' outside of NBA
Everyone around the league likely had the same thought.
Oh, great, Lu Dort is learning the ancient art of hand-to-hand combat!
Listen, I know it’s grand fun watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drive to the rim and put in one of those crazy, off-balance shots. Same for watching Jalen Williams power inside for a massive dunk or Chet Holmgren crossover for a nifty fadeaway or Jared McCain step back for a big three.
Offense is great.
But watching Lu Dort work on the defensive end has been an absolute thrill.
Yes, he is one of the reasons the Thunder has a championship. He’s one of the greatest development stories in the history of the franchise. He’s a cornerstone now and always.
He should be remembered for all of that.
But I will remember the small moments, too, including the frustration you could see in opponents. The slumped shoulders. The bowed heads.
Like that day Dort rested his forearm on Brandon Ingram’s back. Yes, Dort was sending a message, but so was Ingram. He didn’t move or bow up or shake him off.
He was done.
Today, I’m sad that the same can be said of Lu Dort’s days in OKC.
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at [email protected]. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lu Dort leaves Thunder after giving OKC seven seasons of defensive decadence
Continue reading...
It was late in the second game of the Thunder’s opening playoff series against the Pelicans a couple of years ago, and Lu Dort had been assigned to New Orleans’ top scorer. When Ingram was on the floor, so was Dort. Wherever Ingram went, there was Dort.
A teammate’s free throws gave Ingram a moment to regroup, but instead, here came Dort, resting his hand and forearm on Ingram’s back.
The ultimate I’m-not-going-anywhere move.
Except that now Dort is.
On Sunday morning, the Thunder traded Dort as part of a three-team deal. There are picks and players and lots of moving parts involved, including the fact that OKC’s salary is no longer over the second apron and on the hook for a massive tax bill, but the most important thing is this — Lu Dort is no longer a Thunder.
More: Why Isaiah Joe will always call OKC 'home' even after Thunder-Pistons trade
The last time that happened was before COVID. Before Oklahoma City passed MAPS 4, much less the bond for a new downtown arena.
In other words, it’s been a minute.
For seven seasons, we have been treated to defensive decadence, thanks to Dort. Sure, he became more than a great defender, adding a three-point shot that scraped the clouds but splashed through in some of the biggest moments of this franchise’s history. And yes, Dort also got plenty of defensive sidekicks in recent years, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace prime among them, but the beating heart of the Thunder’s historic defense has long been the burly Canadian.
Watching him work was a treat.
Unless, of course, you were on the receiving end of his defense.
James Harden was among the first to realize what a drag that could be. He and his Houston Rockets were actually the opponent the first time Dort started a game for the Thunder, January 20, 2020.
Harden’s stat line that night: 9 of 29, including 1 of 17 from behind the arc, for 29 points, six assists and four turnovers.
Dort was a starter from then on.
More: Thunder shuts down Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz for rest of NBA Summer League, falls to Mavs
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So of course, when the Thunder and Rockets met in the first round of the 2020 playoffs, held in the Orlando pandemic bubble, Dort was charged with hounding Harden again.
Now, to set this up, Harden was only two years removed from being the MVP and was actually an MVP finalist that season. Dort, on the other hand, had spent much of that season on a two-way contract, bouncing back and forth between the Thunder and the Blue.
It didn’t seem like a fair fight.
And lots of times, it wasn’t — in favor of Dort. Oh, sure, Harden got his points and ultimately hit the shot that sent the Thunder home, but there were lots of times when Harden looked like he’d rather be anywhere other than on that court with Dort in front of him.
Zach Lowe, he of all things analytic in the NBA, wrote a lengthy piece for ESPN back then about the Harden-Dort matchup. Lowe brought all sorts of receipts, video clips showing Dort’s mastery.
“There are maybe four or five humans alive — if that,” Lowe wrote, “who can do this to James freaking Harden.”
Then there was a six-second clip showing Harden dribbling at the top of the key, Dort down in a defensive stance, shadowing every move. Harden crossed over; Dort didn’t bite. Harden went between the legs; nothing.
More: How injuries helped OKC Thunder's Payton Sandfort gain perspective on NBA opportunity
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Finally, Harden broke hard to his left and drove toward the basket, but Dort stayed with him. Step for step. Right arm extended.
And when Harden reached the block and sent a shot toward the basket, that right hand swatted the ball out of bounds.
A human cinder block with quick feet and an unrelenting motor.
That’s how Lowe described Dort, and it’s perfect really.
Dort quickly became a thorn in the side of just about every elite perimeter scorer in the league. Punch in just about any name that fits that bill on StatMuse, and you’ll see how hard Dort made their lives.
Harden vs. Dort: 20.5 points in 13 games.
Harden’s career average: 24.0.
Luka vs. Dort: 27.9 points in 11 games.
Luka’s career average: 29.2.
Ant vs. Dort: 22.9 points in 18 games.
Ant’s career average: 24.6.
Even though Dort didn’t get his ultimate flowers until recently, finally being named first-team All-Defense after the 2024-25 season, his reputation as a defensive doberman was solidified well before that. Dort was asked at media day before the start of his third season what he’d done during the offseason to prepare his body. He reported that he’d started doing jiu-jitsu.
More: Lu Dort may strike fear into OKC Thunder opponents, but he's a 'good dude' outside of NBA
You must be registered for see images attach
Everyone around the league likely had the same thought.
Oh, great, Lu Dort is learning the ancient art of hand-to-hand combat!
Listen, I know it’s grand fun watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drive to the rim and put in one of those crazy, off-balance shots. Same for watching Jalen Williams power inside for a massive dunk or Chet Holmgren crossover for a nifty fadeaway or Jared McCain step back for a big three.
Offense is great.
But watching Lu Dort work on the defensive end has been an absolute thrill.
Yes, he is one of the reasons the Thunder has a championship. He’s one of the greatest development stories in the history of the franchise. He’s a cornerstone now and always.
He should be remembered for all of that.
But I will remember the small moments, too, including the frustration you could see in opponents. The slumped shoulders. The bowed heads.
Like that day Dort rested his forearm on Brandon Ingram’s back. Yes, Dort was sending a message, but so was Ingram. He didn’t move or bow up or shake him off.
He was done.
Today, I’m sad that the same can be said of Lu Dort’s days in OKC.
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at [email protected]. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lu Dort leaves Thunder after giving OKC seven seasons of defensive decadence
Continue reading...
