Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lou Dort has apologized after a flagrant foul on Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter of their 129-126 win. According to a quote from Dort obtained by ESPN’s Tim McMahon, he said it was nothing personal and that he was caught up in the competitive moment.
“Just lost the contest,” Dort told ESPN’s Tim McMahon. “But shook hands with him, [said] ‘Great game’ and I apologized that this happened.”
He emphasized that it was nothing personal and that he did not intend to hit Jokic in the face as he walked around a screen set by the three-time MVP for Jamal Murray.
“I didn’t mean to hit him in the face. But when I go on screens and things like that, my arms are everywhere, and then unfortunately I hit him in the face. … I didn’t think it was a disrespectful thing. 1. Needless to say I did it. [it] Intentionally, which I didn’t do.”
In postgame comments obtained by ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Jokic addressed the incident and did not believe Dort went too far as he has in the past.
“No, (he did not cross the limit)…it was over since last time.”
This is the second incident between Lu Dort and Nikola Jokic in the last two weeks. In the Thunder’s February 27 win over the Nuggets, Dort passed to Jokic and knocked him down. Jokic became angry, thinking of immediately going after Dort because at that moment he believed it was intentional.
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