In a highly charged matchup on March 8, 2024, at the Paycom Center, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic escalated tensions with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort following what Jokic deemed an unnecessary foul. The incident unfolded early in the fourth quarter, intensifying an already competitive game that echoed the intensity of their previous playoff series.
With 8:03 remaining in the game, Jokic fell to the court after Dort appeared to trip him as they raced up the court. Jokic quickly stood up and confronted Dort, leading to a heated exchange. “It’s an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction,” Jokic stated after the Nuggets’ 127-121 overtime loss. He emphasized the importance of maintaining sportsmanship on the court, declaring, “There is no such thing — I think there’s not supposed to be those things on a basketball floor.”
The confrontation led to a series of penalties, including a double technical foul for Jokic and Thunder center Jaylin Williams. Following a review, officials upgraded Dort’s foul to a flagrant foul 2, resulting in an automatic ejection. Crew chief James Williams explained, “We deemed [Dort’s] contact on Jokic to be unnecessary and excessive with a high potential for injury.”
The incident overshadowed the performance of Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who returned from injury to score 36 points and provide nine assists. Despite his impressive outing, Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to 34 minutes due to a predetermined minutes restriction after missing nine games with an abdominal strain. He too contributed to the game’s intensity, receiving a technical foul early on for throwing the ball at Jokic after a foul.
Williams defended the competitive nature of the game, stating, “Just competing… Two teams competing, that’s it.” He acknowledged the rivalry, noting their history of previous encounters. The Thunder coach, Mark Daigneault, remarked on the implications of the flagrant foul ruling, suggesting that if the standard was set for such actions, it should apply universally, regardless of the player involved.
Jokic’s frustration during the game stemmed not only from the foul but also from a series of no-calls he encountered while shooting. He finished with a triple-double, recording 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists, but struggled with his shooting, going 9-of-25 from the field and 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. Nuggets coach David Adelman acknowledged Jokic’s competitive nature, explaining that his frustration was tied to how the game was officiated, particularly regarding contact near the basket.
As the Nuggets fell to a record of 4-7 since Jokic’s return from injury, the team now looks toward their next encounter with the Thunder, scheduled for March 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. The intensity of this rivalry shows no signs of abating, with both teams eager to assert their dominance in the league.
