Luka Doncic Praises Thunder Star: ‘He Brings the Fire Out of Me

Sunday afternoon’s matinee out at Paycom Center added yet another notch to Doncic’s victory belt, as he and the Los Angeles Lakers took care of business, blowing out the Thunder 126-99 and providing the top-seeds with a losing streak for just the second time this year.

Unsurprisingly, leading the charge during the contest was the five-time All-Star, who capped off his performance with 30 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 55.0 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from distance.

Though his final numbers may be indicative of a rather easy and not-so-challenging exhibition, during his post-game presser, Doncic’s words suggested it to be quite the contrary, as he specifically heaped praise upon his primary defender, Luguentz Dort.

Luka Doncic praises Thunder guard Lu Dort for defensive excellence

Following Los Angeles’ 27-point win, Doncic was asked by a reporter, “What level of creativity” is unlocked when going up against a team that challenges him while trying to operate on offense.

The 26-year-old admitted that he enjoys the obstacles presented by a high-pressure defense, and, when focusing in on the Thunder, specifically name-dropped Lu Dort for his top-notch efforts.

“I think he brings the competitive spirit out of me, he brings the best out of me. Going against Lu Dort is a tough job. He’s one of the best defenders in the NBA. It brings the most to try and win the game,” Doncic said of Dort.

This kind of rhetoric about the Thunder stud from Doncic is far from a new thing, as the star guard has been an outspoken passenger on the Dort hype train for years, even going on record back in 2022 to call him “one of the top three defenders in the NBA”

This newest example of admiration for the 25-year-old’s play on the less glamorous side of the ball surfaces at quite an optimal time, as the end-of-season awards race is starting to pick up serious steam and, deservedly so, the OKC veteran is gaining momentum as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.

Whether these remarks move the needle in his favor or not is something that remains to be seen, but, at the very least, Doncic finds himself joining a continuously growing list of individuals who are now speaking out on the dominant defensive skills of one Luguentz Dort.