In Lu Dort’s third season in the NBA, his mother finally got the chance to see him play live from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
With her in the crowd, Dort got the game-winning steal and layup to give the Thunder a 105-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.
Thunder sideline reporter Nick Gallo asked Dort about his feelings on his mom being in the crowd for the first time, and that she got to witness his 22-point and game-winning performance.
“It means a lot,” he said. “She’s done a lot for me. Without her, I wouldn’t be in this position right now today.”
"I knew they had one more possession left, I just had to step up and get a stop and go up strong."
Lu Dort on-court after his game-winning steal and score! #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/8UCO6SlQVs
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) November 13, 2021
It was with about 24 seconds left in the game when Kings guard De’Aaron Fox had the ball with a tie game. He could conceivably run down the clock for the final shot of regulation and either walk away with a Sacramento win or go to overtime.
Dort had other ideas, stripping Fox of the ball as the Kings star attempted to make a cross-over move. Dort got possession, raced up court, and finished the layup with two defenders near him.
With the win, the Thunder improved to an unlikely 5-6 record in the early stages of the season and inserted themselves into 10th place, good for play-in position.
Oklahoma City now has four wins in a row.
The Thunder will have a far greater test next, playing the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat in back-to-back nights starting Sunday.
If Dort’s mom stays in town for the remainder of the homestand, maybe she’ll be a sort of lucky charm for the team as they try to break even at .500.
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