Jokic Calls Out Dort: “Unnecessary Foul and Necessary Reaction”
The Nuggets center points the finger at Dort after fourth-quarter contact: ejection, double technical and a heated finish against OKC
In Oklahoma City, this was far more than a regular-season game. The matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder reignited a rivalry that had been simmering since last year’s Conference semifinals, exploding in a fiery fourth quarter.
At the center of it all, once again, was Nikola Jokic.
With 8:03 remaining in the fourth, the three-time MVP went to the floor after contact with Luguentz Dort. The OKC defender, backpedaling, extended his right leg and tripped the Serbian big man. Jokic immediately got up and went face-to-face with his opponent. From there: shove for shove, jerseys grabbed, and a full-on scrum involving players, staff and officials.
Two high-level teams that know each other well. At the end of the season, games are like this, physical, dirty. It was fun.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
After a replay review, the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2, resulting in an automatic ejection for Dort. Double technical fouls were assessed to Jokic and Jaylin Williams.
In a recent interview, Jokic didn’t mince words:
It was an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction. Things like that shouldn’t exist on a basketball court.
Nikola Jokic
Why Dort’s Foul Was Ruled a Flagrant 2
Crew chief James Williams explained that the contact was deemed “unnecessary and excessive, with a high potential for injury”, and that it triggered an altercation that did not resolve on its own.
The ruling sparked debate within the Thunder organization as well. Head coach Mark Daigneault maintained a measured tone, but his message was clear: if that’s the standard, it has to apply across the board.
I’ll say this… if a player is running up the floor and gets tripped, from now on we expect a Flagrant 2. That’s the precedent.
Mark Daigneault
The underlying point was evident: would the call have been the same if it hadn’t been Jokic? Daigneault avoided fueling the controversy, but the question lingers.
Thunder vs. Nuggets Rivalry: Rematch on March 9
The two teams will meet again in Oklahoma City on March 9. After what transpired, it will be much more than just another date on the schedule.
The sense is that the regular season has already taken on a playoff-like flavour.