Lu Dort Apologizes After Getting Called for Another Flagrant vs. Nuggets

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TORONTO, CANADA – FEBRUARY 24: Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 24, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

The Denver Nuggets lost a heartbreaking game to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. Shai Gilegous-Alexander hit a game-winning three to beat Denver. It was a frustrating ending for Denver, and now they have lost to OKC three times.

In the last game these two teams played, Lugentz Dort was ejected from the game. He was ejected after he was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for trying to trip Nikola Jokic. Jokic did not take kindly to the act by Dort and got in his face. On Monday night, Dort received another flagrant foul.

Dort actually showed some contrition when the game was finished. He apologized to Jokic after receiving a Flagrant 1.

GettyDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic gets in a scrum. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic Gets Apology From Lu Dort

After the game was finished, Dort told the media that he apologized to Jokic after picking up that foul.

“Just lost in the competition,” Dort told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “But shook his hand, [said] ‘great game’ and I apologized that that happened.”

“I didn’t mean to hit him in the face,” Dort said. “But when I go over screens and stuff like that, my arms are just everywhere, and then unfortunately I just hit him in the face. … I didn’t think it was a flagrant 1. Unnecessary means I did [it] on purpose, which I didn’t.”

While Dort was trying to get around a screen, his arm flung around and hit Jokic in the face.

This is now the second straight game against the Nuggets that Dort has been called for a flagrant foul. It seems that Dort has some level of animosity against Jokic for some reason. Jokic didn’t seem to have any animosity towards Dort this time, although the foul was still deemed unnecessary.

GettyDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic dribbles the ball. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

The Nuggets Continue to Fall Down the Standings

With this loss, the Nuggets are now sixth in the Western Conference standings. They have continued to slide down the standings over the last few weeks. If they aren’t careful, they could slide out of the playoffs and be forced to play in the play-in when the season ends.

Jokic continues to be one of the best players in the NBA, but it hasn’t been enough to get the wins that the team needs. They sit above the Suns for the sixth spot. If Denver falls to the seventh spot, they would not only have to win a play-in game, but they would match up with the Spurs or the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.

Health continues to be an issue for Denver. Aaron Gordon just returned from his injury. Cameron Johnson has missed a couple of games, as well. Keeping the entire team healthy will be the key to the Nuggets staying out of the play-in and firmly in the playoffs.

Denver still has the best offense in the league. They just have to stay healthy.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano