The Oklahoma City Thunder just delivered a statement win over the Memphis Grizzlies, securing a 125-104 victory that also marked a franchise milestone with their 61st win of the season. But as much as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring brilliance deserves credit, the spotlight belonged to Lu Dort’s relentless defense.
Dort, who’s firmly in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year, completely locked down Grizzlies’ guard Desmond Bane. Bane managed just three points on a rough 1-for-12 shooting night, courtesy of Dort’s physicality, lateral quickness, and high basketball IQ. Dort set the tone early, helping spark a dominant 15-0 Thunder run that stretched the lead beyond 20 points and effectively buried Memphis.
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t hold back in praising his teammate’s defensive prowess. “It’s just Lu. His lateral quickness, his physicality; to score on him is very tough, and if you’re not on your A-game, it looks like that, tonight,” he said. “And Desmond Bane is a really good player. He’s not the first one he’s done that to. But when Lu’s locked in, and Lu’s in you all game, it’s a lot. He’s physical. He’s fast, and he’s smart with his hands.”
When it comes to the Thunder’s defensive identity, Gilgeous-Alexander is crystal clear about who leads the charge. “I would pick out Lu Dort,” he said. “What he’s been to the point of our attack all year and throughout his whole career has been amazing. There’s nobody in the NBA like him. What he does is special every night. You can’t teach it. It’s a gift, and he puts it on display every night. Guards the other team’s best player, and there aren’t a lot of nights people get the best of him, very few.
“I think that goes a little unnoticed because we have a team full of defenders, and it’s the reason why we’re a really good defense. Yeah, Lu Dort is at the front of that. One hundred percent.”
When informed he was among the top six favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year himself, Gilgeous-Alexander made his opinion clear: he’d rather see Dort get the recognition. “Add it to Lu,” he stated, reinforcing just how much Dort means to this team’s defensive identity.
The Thunder are playing at a different level this season. As impressive as their regular-season record is, Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear that the team has much bigger goals. “It’s cool, but it doesn’t mean much. My ultimate goal, our team’s ultimate goal, is not to set franchise records in wins. It’s to hoist a trophy at the end of the season, and that’s what we’re after. So, it’s cool, but it doesn’t fill our cup.”
Oklahoma City will look to keep the momentum rolling when they host the Pacers on Saturday, and with Dort anchoring their defense, they’re looking like a nightmare matchup for anyone they face.
