Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether you’re watching an NBA game or something far more physical, especially with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lu Dort on the floor. That intensity was on full display during Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns, when Devin Booker became the latest player caught in one of Dort’s questionable moments. Tension spiked in the third quarter as Devin Booker’s night took a sharp turn against the Thunder.
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While cutting to receive a pass, Lu Dort left a stray leg behind that tripped Devin Booker, sending him crashing down as he clutched his left ankle. The incident didn’t just disrupt the game; it quickly sparked debate beyond the court, as viewers reacted strongly to what they saw as a dangerous play. Moments later, chaos followed.
The Thunder capitalized instantly, racing the other way for a transition dunk while Booker struggled to move. The Suns had seen enough. A timeout came with 9:16 remaining, and Booker headed out, clearly limping. Grayson Allen stepped in as the game briefly tilted. With 6:56 still on the clock, Booker walked back in, eyes locked and rhythm intact. Before the fall, he had already stacked 11 points and four assists. After returning, he wasted no time, drilling back-to-back buckets. Still, his mobility remained a concern.
Lu Dort tripped Devin Booker Book exited the game and went to the locker room 😬 (h/t @CGBBURNER)
As the game settled, the bigger picture became clearer. Oklahoma City didn’t just seize momentum in that moment; they controlled the night. The Thunder secured a 121–109 win, leaning on efficiency and interior dominance rather than just perimeter shooting.
While Phoenix connected on a similar rate from deep, Oklahoma City created separation inside, finishing with a commanding edge in paint scoring and converting more cleanly at the line. Rebounding and defensive activity also tilted in their favor, helping them maintain control despite fairly even playmaking numbers.
Playmaking stayed close, the Phoenix Suns with 25 assists to the Thunder’s 23. However, OKC dominated on defense with 6 blocks and 6 steals, while Phoenix managed just 2 of each.
Turnovers favored OKC 7–11, though the Suns converted 14 points off them, versus 11 for OKC. Fast break points tied at 7. Inside scoring told the story: Thunder poured in 50 paint points to 30. Efficiency ranged from 1.10 to 1.21, with fouls 22–25, and the largest lead was 16–9.
That on-court sequence, however, became the focal point after the final buzzer. Now, following the moment between Lu Dort and Devin Booker, fans called for a suspension for the OKC star. Moreover, the officials didn’t call a foul on Dort, further angering the audience.
The backlash wasn’t isolated; it quickly snowballed into a broader critique of Dort’s reputation.
Fans are calling for officials to keep Lu Dort out of multiple games
“Lu Dort never beating the dirty player allegations,” one of them wrote on X. The aforementioned instance with Booker is just one of them. The 27-year-old forward has more such antics, and fans were quick to bring up past incidents to support their frustration.
Remember when he fouled Nikola Jokic in February? Yes…The unnecessary nudge that tripped the Serbian star. After that episode, the officials ejected Dort. And fans demanded his suspension.
Meanwhile, another fan said, “The league needs to sit Lu Dort down for multiple games.” That sentiment reflects a growing belief that repeated borderline plays deserve stronger action, especially when they risk injury to star players.
If referees do suspend Dort, someday, then the star might lose at least $35000 in fines. And that won’t be great for the elite defensive force. Besides, he will have to sit out for several games, which would disrupt the OKC Thunder’s strategy.
On the other hand, a fan commented, “Please Dillon Brooks, dive on his knees in game 4.” Now, we know how feisty Dillon Brooks can get defensively. He was ejected in March 2025 for a reach-in foul on Kevin Durant, which escalated into a heated, almost physical altercation.
That comparison only stresses how fans often frame physical players against each other, especially when tensions rise in a playoff setting.
Imago
Apr 2, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) stands during Los Angeles Lakers free throw baskets during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Booker isn’t just another scorer, he’s the Suns’ primary offensive engine, carrying a usage rate north of 30% and averaging roughly 25+ points with over six assists per game, meaning a huge share of Phoenix’s offense flows directly through him.
That reality makes any visible discomfort especially alarming. When Booker is off the floor or limited, the Suns’ offense historically drops off sharply in both efficiency and overall rhythm, proving just how dependent they are on his shot creation and playmaking.
In the context of a 3–0 series deficit against the Oklahoma City Thunder, that raises the stakes even further, because a compromised Booker doesn’t just hurt their chances, it effectively threatens their ability to stay competitive at all.
“There’s a cold seat in hell for Lu Dort when he leaves this earth,” someone said. At the same time, several past incidents continue to fuel criticism of Dort’s approach, including prior fines and flagrant fouls involving multiple players.
Therefore, a fan blasted the OKC star, “At what point does he get suspended for meaningful time. Is the NBA really willing to trade a role players football like playstyle over an allstar? Dort is involved in more player injuries than any other NBA player and it need to be addressed. It’s ridiculous.”
The reaction captures a larger frustration among fans who feel these plays are becoming a pattern rather than isolated moments.
Despite the controversy, Booker returned and finished with 16 points in 39 minutes, but Phoenix still fell short against the Thunder, who now hold a commanding 3–0 series lead.
