Lu Dort and Nikola Jokic were involved in a heated scuffle on the court in the Denver Nuggets last game against the OKC Thunder on February 27. The incident has raised several questions among fans and analysts about the handling of the situation. After the game, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley also gave their thoughts on the incident.
In the NBA on ESPN segment after the Thunder-Nuggets game, the analysts discussed the incident. Shaq said:
“He (Jokic) reacted the right way, smart enough not to throw a punch but just to give him that intense look to, you know, let him know that he ain’t playing.”
On the other hand, Chuck believed that a little physicality in the game is considered part of the sport. He added:
“When you get hurt, and then somebody do something dirty to you, … your antennas are up.”
Lu Dort has lately been involved in several such incidents on the court. Last month, as well, he was fined $25000 along with Jeremiah Fears, who was part of the scuffle with the Thunder SF.
Dort was given a flagrant foul penalty 2 for the act and was ejected from the game. However, Jokic did not get involved physically and was not punished by the officials, but was given a technical. The Nuggets eventually lost 121-127. Jaylin Williams also jumped in between the scuffle and was handed a technical foul. Jokic addressed the incident after the game.
Nikola Jokic addresses the “unnecessary move” by Lu Dort
Nikola Jokic addressed the incident in the post-game presser and talked about the intensity of the situation, saying that it was a necessary reaction from him. He said:
“It’s an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction. There is no such thing — I think there’s not supposed to be those things on a basketball floor. So, it was just an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction by me.”
Jokic scored 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists, and Jamal Murray added 39 points and six assists. However, the team lost the game in overtime and has lost both games against the Thunder this season.
The battle of the top seeds in the Western Conference was a testament to how tough the conference is. While the Nuggets are placed fourth, the Thunder have remained at the top for the entire season once again.
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