Thunder’s Lu Dort to start Game 2 after sitting with a knee injury

Thunder rookie Luguentz Dort suffered a right knee sprain against the Heat on Aug. 12 after banging knees with Jae Crowder.

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After sitting in Game 1 due to a knee injury, Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Luguentz Dort will start in Game 2 on Thursday against the Houston Rockets, the team announced prior to tipoff.

Dort suffered a right knee sprain against the Miami Heat on Aug. 12 after colliding with Jae Crowder. The two players banged knees on the play and Dort left the game and would not return. He was ruled out of playing in Game 1.

Without Dort in the lineup, the Thunder suffered a 123-108 blowout loss to the Rockets on Tuesday, who were without Russell Westbrook, in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Dort has emerged as a key player for the Thunder during the season restart, averaging 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in seven games at the Wide World of Sports Complex. He is one of the team’s best defenders and his absence proved to be a big loss in Game 1.

Game 2 is scheduled to tip-off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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