Mavericks star Luka Doncic looks to bounce back from rough Game 1 against the Thunder
Lu Dort was the defensive catalyst as the Oklahoma City Thunder held Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic to 19 points on 6-for-19 shooting in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series
By Cliff Brunt
Published - May 08, 2024, 04:32 PM ET
Last Updated - May 27, 2024, 01:00 AM EDT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — As Oklahoma City prepared to host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked how his team would brace for Luka Doncic's physical style.
Daigneault quipped that he just needed lockdown defender Lu Dort to show up on time for the game.
Dort did more than just arrive on time. He was the defensive catalyst as the Thunder held Doncic, the league's regular-season scoring leader, to 19 points on 6-for-19 shooting in Oklahoma City's 117-95 victory.
Doncic has been nursing a knee injury since the first round of the playoffs. It could be affecting him, though he refused to make excuses after Game 1.
