Lu Dort providing OKC with valuable defensive minutes during roadtrip

With Terrance Ferguson sidelined due to injury, Thunder rookie Lu Dort has stepped up to play the role of defensive stopper.

Oklahoma City is down to Dort.

The Thunder rookie provided OKC with valuable minutes during the team’s 104-90 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday. With Terrance Ferguson still sidelined with hip soreness, Dort played the role of defensive stopper against the Jazz and guard Donovan Mitchell.

Monday’s game was just the third appearance for the Thunder by the two-way player. Dort did spend the preseason with Oklahoma City but has spent the majority of his time since October in the NBA’s G-League with the OKC Blue.

As such, there isn’t a lot of film available for teams to study, and as Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman pointed out when Dort was matched up against Mitchell, the Jazz guard didn’t seem to know what to do.

The third-year point guard suddenly lunged forward, shifting side to side. Dort backpedaled with deliberate steps.

Mitchell crossed to his left and drove to the basket. Dort shuffled in lockstep. Until they reached the free throw line. Mitchell raised his right forearm and knocked Dort to the ground. Dort didn’t get the offensive foul call, but an off-balance Mitchell air-balled the scoop shot.

Billy Donovan has gone to Dort out of necessity. As previously mentioned, Ferguson on with the team on the road trip but has not played, Hamidou Diallo is out with an elbow sprain, and on Monday night, Danilo Gallinari couldn’t go due to an ankle injury.

Dort has scored much in either of the last two games, scoring just two against Portland and nine against Utah while picking up six and four personal fouls, respectively. But he’s drawn tough defensive assignments, and his teammates have seen the value that Dort has been able to bring.

“I mean, Dort,” Thunder guard Dennis Schröder said, “he did a great job just pursuing, making him (Mitchell) uncomfortable. It was a great team effort as well, but Lu, he deserved that one. And he scored as well.”

Oklahoma City continues their road trip on Wednesday night when Dort and the Thunder take on the Kings in Sacramento. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. CT.