In a tense matchup on March 8, 2024, the rivalry between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder escalated dramatically after a controversial foul led to a heated confrontation involving superstar Nikola Jokic. The incident occurred early in the fourth quarter at the Paycom Center, when Jokic collided with Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, resulting in Dort’s ejection from the game.
The confrontation arose with 8:03 remaining in the final quarter. As Jokic was running up the court, Dort appeared to trip him by backing into him and extending his right foot. Jokic quickly responded, expressing his anger by confronting Dort, stating, “It’s an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction.” Following the incident, both players received double technical fouls, while Thunder center Jaylin Williams intervened, leading to further shoving matches between players on both teams.
Flagrant Foul Upgrade and Reactions
Following a review, officials upgraded Dort’s foul to a flagrant foul 2, resulting in an automatic ejection. Crew chief James Williams explained that the contact was deemed “unnecessary and excessive with a high potential for injury.” He also noted that the altercation that ensued contributed to the severity of the ruling.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault commented on the implications of the foul, suggesting that the standard for flagrant fouls should apply equally to all players, regardless of their star status. “If that’s the precedent, we would expect that if it’s [Williams]. We would expect that if it’s anybody,” he said, emphasizing the need for consistency in officiating.
Despite the controversy, the game continued, with the Thunder ultimately winning 127-121 in overtime. The match marked a significant return for reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 36 points but was limited in playing time due to a minutes restriction after missing nine games with an abdominal strain.
Nuggets Struggle Despite Jokic’s Triple-Double
The Nuggets have struggled since Jokic’s return from a month-long absence, now holding a record of 4-7, including 1-6 in clutch situations. In the game against the Thunder, Jokic recorded his league-leading 22nd triple-double, tallying 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists. However, his shooting woes persisted, as he completed only 9 of 25 attempts and 2 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Post-game, Nuggets coach David Adelman acknowledged Jokic’s frustration with officiating, particularly around contact near the basket. “His frustration is sometimes because the game’s officiated differently out on the floor than it is near the basket,” Adelman noted. “He has to react to that the right way.” Jokic’s visible protests during the game highlighted his dissatisfaction with the calls made against him.
The match highlighted the intensity of the rivalry, with both teams having faced each other frequently in recent seasons. As Gilgeous-Alexander remarked, “End-of-season basketball is like that. It’s that chippy, that physical, so it was good to get one of those in the regular season.” The Nuggets and Thunder will meet again on March 9, 2024, presenting another opportunity for these competitive teams to clash.
