Lu Dort was ejected after delivering a Flagrant 2 foul to Nikola Jokic.
The incident occurred in the fourth quarter of an overtime victory for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Denver Nuggets.
The altercation stemmed from escalating physical play between the two teams, continuing a rivalry from last season's playoffs.
Officials deemed Dort's contact on Jokic as unnecessary and excessive, leading to the Flagrant 2 and ejection.
Jokic stated his reaction was a necessary response to what he perceived as unnecessary physical play against him.
Nuggets coach David Adelman said Jokic was reacting to being physically targeted and not getting favorable calls.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault expressed agreement with the ejection, emphasizing consistency in officiating for similar plays involving his players.
📖 Full Retelling
Tempers flared in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City's 127-121 overtime victory over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, February 28, 2026, in Oklahoma City. The altercation resulted in the ejection of Thunder guard Lu Dort after he delivered a Flagrant 2 foul to Nuggets center Nikola Jokic following a series of escalating events. The incident stemmed from physical play throughout the game, a continuation of the rivalry from last season's Western Conference semifinals, and a reaction by Jokic to perceived aggressive defense. Officials cited Dort's contact on Jokic as unnecessary and excessive, leading to an altercation that triggered the ejection.
🏷️ Themes
NBA Rivalry, Player Conduct, Refereeing, Physicality in Basketball, Team Dynamics, Controversy
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
The ejection of Lu Dort from the Nuggets-Thunder game due to a Flagrant 2 foul on Nikola Jokic highlights the escalating tensions between these two teams. This incident underscores the physical and competitive nature of the rivalry, with implications for future matchups and potential rule enforcement regarding dangerous plays.
Context & Background
Nuggets and Thunder have a heated rivalry stemming from last season's Western Conference semifinals.
Lu Dort has a reputation for physical defense, sometimes pushing boundaries.
Nikola Jokic is often targeted by opposing defenses, leading to physical play.
What Happens Next
The incident will likely be reviewed by the NBA and could result in further disciplinary action for Lu Dort. The rivalry between the Nuggets and Thunder is expected to remain intense in future games, particularly their upcoming matchup on March 9th.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Flagrant 2 foul?
A Flagrant 2 foul is an excessive and unnecessary act of contact that has the potential for injury and results in an automatic ejection from the game.
Why did Jokic react to Dort's foul?
Jokic felt Dort's contact was unnecessary and excessive, and his reaction was a response to being physically targeted throughout the game.
What are the implications for future games?
The incident may lead to stricter enforcement of rules regarding physical defense, especially concerning hip checks and trips, and could result in further ejections if similar plays occur.
Original Source
Tempers flare between Nuggets and Thunder as Dort is ejected after fouling Jokic Tempers flared in the fourth quarter between Oklahoma City and the Denver Nuggets and resulted in the ejection of the Thunder’s Lu Dort By CLIFF BRUNT AP sports writer February 28, 2026, 12:11 AM OKLAHOMA CITY -- Thunder guard Lu Dort was ejected as tempers flared in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City's 127-121 overtime victory over Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Dort fouled Jokic, and the Denver star got in Dort's face. A scrum ensued and Jokic and Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams were called for offsetting technical fouls. Dort was issued a Flagrant 2 and ejected. The situation was brewing from the start. The Thunder beat Denver 4-3 in the Western Conference semifinals last season, and the Nuggets — especially Jokic — were committed to matching Oklahoma City's aggressive style. Dort was a first-team All-Defensive selection last season with a reputation for pushing the boundaries of acceptable physical play. Crew chief James Williams said after the game that Dort's hip check/trip combination was dangerous. “Lu Dort was assessed a flagrant foul penalty 2 because we deemed his contact on Jokic to be unnecessary and excessive with a high potential for injury, and also because the contact led to an altercation that did not dissolve,” Williams said. "So, by rule, a flagrant foul penalty 2 carries an automatic ejection." Jokic, who had initiated contact with Thunder players throughout the game rather than letting it come to him, finally had enough. “It’s an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction," Jokic said. "I think there are not supposed to be those things on the basketball floor, so it was just an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction by me.” Nuggets coach David Adelman said he understood why Jokic finally snapped. He feels Jokic gets beat up when he's away from the basket and doesn't get the calls because of his 7-foot, 284-pound frame. “I think he was reacting ...
