Overview
- With 8:03 left in the fourth quarter, Lu Dort backed into Nikola Jokic and stuck out his leg, sending the three-time MVP to the floor and triggering a midcourt confrontation.
- After video review, officials upgraded the foul to a Flagrant Foul 2 for unnecessary, excessive contact with high injury potential, which by rule carries an automatic ejection.
- Nikola Jokic and Thunder center Jaylin Williams received offsetting technical fouls for the ensuing scrum, and officials determined neither action warranted an ejection.
- Jokic called the play an “unnecessary move” and his response a “necessary reaction,” while Thunder coach Mark Daigneault urged consistent enforcement and Nuggets coach David Adelman defended Jokic’s frustration with physical contact.
- Oklahoma City won 127-121 in overtime in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s return from injury, and outlets noted the incident could draw further NBA review ahead of the next meeting on March 9.