Lu Dort impressed the entire NBA fandom by displaying superb defensive technique against one of the best forwards in the NBA, Kevin Durant. In a high-stakes NBA showdown that was more than just a regular game, the OKC Thunder squared off against the Phoenix Suns, with both teams vying to assert their dominance in the Western Conference. This game wasn’t just a test of scoring ability but showcased a masterclass in defense, particularly from OKC’s Lu Do
Known for his defensive tenacity, Lu Dort was in the spotlight for his role in limiting one of the game’s most prolific scorers, Kevin Durant. Through relentless pressure and an aggressive defensive stance, Dort managed to keep Kevin Durant to a relatively modest 20 points.
NBA sportscaster Mark Jones aptly captured the intensity of the matchup, saying, “Lu Dort is in KD’s face like acne right now, I mean he is really up into him.”
Did cornering Kevin Durant work for the Thunders?
The Thunder’s defensive strategy paid off, as they double-teamed the two-time Finals MVP from half-court on several occasions, limiting him to just 20 points. Additionally, the Suns turned over the ball 21 times, resulting in 31 points for the Thunder. Durant himself committed five of those turnovers, acknowledging, “Trying to make the risky play sometimes, cross-court passes. Still, they’re the number one team in creating turnovers, so we’ve got to be better.”
But it wasn’t just Lu Dort’s defensive prowess that contributed to OKC’s victory. The game concluded with the Thunder clinching a 118-110 win, propelling them to the number one spot in the Western Conference.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 35 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, further solidifying his league-leading 30+ points games (now at 45). Meanwhile, Jusuf Nurkic made history by breaking the Suns’ franchise record with 31 rebounds, the most in an NBA game in 14 years. He also added 14 points and four assists in the Suns’ losing effort.
Read More- Gilbert Arenas Want to ‘Get Rid’ of European NBA Players. How will it Impact the NBA?
