Dort closed Tuesday's 118-99 win over the Grizzlies in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with eight points (3-9 FG, 2-7 3Pt) and nine rebounds in 33 minutes.
Dort's defense has been invaluable to the Thunder to open the playoffs, as he's been able to pick up Ja Morant for the length of the court and switch onto Jaren Jackson at times, all while fighting through countless screens. Through two games, the defensive wing is averaging 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 3.0 three-pointers in 27.5 minutes.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Plays light minutes in blowout win
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Dort (knee) tallied 12 points (4-8 FG, 4-8 3Pt), three rebounds, three steals, two assists and one block across 22 minutes Sunday in the Thunder's 131-80 win over the Grizzlies in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.
Dort was sidelined for the Thunder's final three games of the regular season due to right patellofemoral injury management. Still, his absences were seemingly precautionary, as Oklahoma City had already clinched the league's best record. The veteran forward was fresh heading into the start of the postseason, but the Thunder didn't have to overextend Dort in the blowout win. He played 22 minutes -- seven less than his season average -- before the Thunder subbed out Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren out of the game for good while up 51 points with 4:50 remaining in the third quarter.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Available for Game 1
Rotowire
Dort (knee) is available Sunday for Game 1 of the Thunder's first-round playoff series versus the Grizzlies.
Dort missed the final three games of the regular season due to right patellofemoral injury management, but his absences were likely just precautionary with Oklahoma City already having clinched the league's best record by that point. Dort averaged 29.2 minutes per game over his 71 appearances in the regular season, but he could see a boost in playing time as the Thunder likely shorten their rotation in the postseason.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Expected to play in postseason
Rotowire
Dort (knee) is expected to play in the postseason.
Dort missed the final three regular-season games, but his absences were likely precautionary, as the Thunder already had the No. 1 seed locked up. Across 71 regular-season appearances this season, Dort averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.2 minutes per game.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Ruled out for Sunday
Rotowire
Dort (knee) is out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Just like it happened Friday against the Jazz, the Thunder will rest most of their regular rotation members for this regular-season finale after securing the top seed in the Western Conference and the best record in the league. Dort is a key two-way player for the Thunder, as he's excellent as a perimeter defender who has also developed a respectable three-point shot. He ends the regular season with averages of 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting a career-best 41.2 percent from three-point range.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Ruled out for Friday
Rotowire
Dort (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jazz.
The Thunder are prioritizing rest for their best players moving forward. Dort is one of many notable players who won't play Friday. Oklahoma City will likely turn to Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to help shoulder the load in Utah.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Ruled out vs. Phoenix
Rotowire
Dort (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Suns.
After scoring 17 points in Tuesday's win against the Lakers, Dort won't be available in Phoenix on Wednesday. Aaron Wiggins, Kenrich Williams and Isaiah Joe could be in line to see more minutes against the Suns.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Comes close to double-double
Rotowire
Dort totaled 14 points (5-11 FG, 4-9 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 33 minutes during Wednesday's 119-103 victory over Detroit.
Dort finished just three rebounds shy of recording a double-double in this matchup, and the defensive specialist continues to stuff the stat sheet for the Thunder every time he steps on the hardwood. Dort has scored in double digits in eight of his 13 appearances since the beginning of March. While he often occupies a secondary role on the Thunder's offensive scheme, he continues to find ways to contribute on a regular basis. Over that 13-game stretch, Dort is averaging 11.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but Dort should remain valuable in most formats, particularly in category-based leagues.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Strikes for 22 against Pacers
Rotowire
Dort registered 22 points (8-11 FG, 6-7 3Pt), five rebounds, one block and two steals over 33 minutes during Saturday's 132-111 win over Indiana.
It's his best scoring effort in four starts since returning from a three-game absence due to a hip injury. Dort has seen his typically low shot volume during that stretch, but he's been incredibly efficient from long distance while being busier than usual on defense. Since his return, he's averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 boards, 3.5 threes, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks while shooting a blistering 58.3 percent (14-for-24) from beyond the arc.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Cleared to play Sunday
Rotowire
Dort (hip) is available for Sunday's game against the Clippers, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Dort will return to action following a three-game absence due to a pinched nerve in his right hip. Over his last five outings, the 25-year-old swingman has averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals across 32.8 minutes per contest.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Questionable to play Sunday
Rotowire
Dort (hip) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Clippers.
Dort missed the blowout win over the Hornets due to a pinched nerve in his right hip, but the questionable tag suggests he might have an outside chance to suit up Sunday. If Dort is unable to play, and knowing that Jalen Williams (hip) has already been ruled out, then Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams, or even Isaiah Joe, would be in line to see more minutes.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Won't play against Philadelphia
Rotowire
Dort (hip) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the 76ers.
Dort will miss a second straight game Wednesday for the Thunder while nursing a hip issue. Oklahoma City will likely turn to Isaiah Joe and Kenrich Williams to help shoulder the load, with Jalen Williams (hip) also sidelined for this game.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Ruled out Sunday
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Dort (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bucks, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Dort experienced right hip soreness during Saturday's win over the Pistons, and he didn't return after exiting to the locker room in the third quarter. Isaiah Joe and Kenrich Williams will likely see an uptick in playing time due to Jalen Williams (hip) and Dort being sidelined. His next chance to play will come Wednesday against the 76ers.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Tending to sore hip
Rotowire
The Thunder announced after Saturday's 113-107 win over the Pistons that Dort experienced hip soreness and will be re-evaluated early Sunday, Nick Gallo of the Thunder's official site reports.
Dort looked to be reaching toward his groin area when he suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Saturday's contest, but the Thunder provided more clarity on the nature of his health concern following the game. He finished the night with seven points (3-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 27 minutes. The Thunder will finish out a back-to-back set with a matchup Sunday against the Bucks, so Dort can be viewed as questionable for that contest.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Leaves early with groin injury
Rotowire
Dort did not return to Saturday's win against the Pistons after suffering a groin injury in third quarter. He finished with seven points (3-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and one block over 27 minutes.
Dort suffered the injury when he slipped awkwardly after his foot got tangled up with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After checking out of the game with 47 seconds left in the third quarter, Dort headed to the locker room, but the Thunder never provided another update on his status. The Thunder will return to action Sunday against the Bucks, and Dort could be at risk of missing that contest.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Exits game due to groin injury
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Dort exited late in the third quarter of Saturday's game against the Pistons due to a groin injury and is uncertain to return, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Dort appeared to get his left foot caused on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's foot, which caused Dort to slip awkwardly to the ground. Dort was able to walk off the court under his own power but went to the locker room to be further evaluated. Look for the Thunder to provide an update on Dort's status during the fourth quarter, but it wouldn't be surprising if he was shut down for the rest of the night.
Dort posted 26 points (9-16 FG, 8-14 3Pt), seven rebounds, one block and four steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 140-127 loss to Denver.
The 26 points and eight made threes were both season highs for Dort, who led the Thunder in scoring on the night. The 25-year-old wing has been struggling to provide consistent offense since the All-Star break, scoring in double digits only three times in his last 10 appearances while averaging 9.3 points, 3.9 boards, 2.3 threes, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Removed from injury report
Rotowire
Dort (knee) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
Dort will return to the floor Sunday for the Thunder after missing Wednesday's win against the Trail Blazers with a knee issue. The defensive-minded guard is averaging 9.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game this season for Oklahoma City.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Not playing Friday
Rotowire
Dort has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers due to right patellofemoral soreness.
Dort will miss just his fifth game of the season, as the Thunder seem to be using Friday's game as an opportunity to hold out several key regulars and allow them to recover from minor injuries. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (rest), Isaiah Hartenstein (nose), Cason Wallace (knee) and Jalen Williams (wrist) are also in line to sit out Friday. Oklahoma City will have to lean on Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to shoulder the load in the backcourt and on the wing.
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Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Ejected from Sunday's game
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Dort was ejected at the 3:00 mark of the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Spurs, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.
Dort received a technical foul for participating in an altercation late in the third quarter that also led to the ejections of Justin Champagnie and Kenrich Williams. Alex Caruso will be on the floor for the final stages of Sunday's game due to Dort's absence. Dort will finish the game with nine points (4-9 FG, 1-6 3Pt), nine rebounds, two assists and one steal over 24 minutes.
