Luguentz Dort Almost Perfect In Return, Helps Thunder Past Blazers

Even though he didn’t start, Thunder forward Luguentz Dort’s combination of shooting and defense was key in Oklahoma City’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

After being sidelined for the last six games due to an injury to his right hamstring, Luguentz Dort returned to the court on Friday night to help the Oklahoma City Thunder overcome Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers, 138-129.

The fourth-year forward entered the match for the first time around the eight-minute mark in the second quarter, tasked with guarding Lillard, the league’s seventh-leading scorer. Lillard would score just three points before the halftime break after dropping a cool 20 in the first frame.

Not only did Dort lock down the All-Star guard, he also drilled an important 3-pointer midway through the second frame to interrupt a 10-point Blazers’ lead and ignite a 12-1 run for his team, one that helped the Thunder regain the lead.

Much like the second quarter, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault opted to put Dort on the floor around that eight-minute mark in the third frame – right after Lillard had drained another deep 3-pointer.

Again, Lillard would score just three points for the rest of the third while Dort would match after hitting a 32-foot triple to put the Thunder on top, 92-90.

It was anyone’s game in the fourth quarter as both teams jostled for position, but once again, Dort found a way to impact the game, helping to hold Lillard to just seven points and the Blazers to just 24 points.

Dort also converted on a key 3-pointer out of the left corner that left the Thunder up by eight points with just under three minutes to go. Moments later, he teamed up with fellow rookie swingman, Jalen Williams, to force a turnover from Anfernee Simons that would result in an and-one for Williams, virtually sealing the Blazers’ fate.

Dort didn’t start the game, but he certainly left a mark as he finished with a game-high plus-minus of 30 after scoring 18 points on 6-of-6 shooting, going 3-for-5 from the charity stripe, and 3-for-3 from downtown in just 20 minutes of action.

He also added an assist, a steal, and a block.


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Dustin McLaughlin
DUSTIN MCLAUGHLIN

Dustin has followed the Oklahoma City Thunder since their inception in 2008, and the NBA since the early 2000s. He's been scouting NBA prospects for 4 years and running.