Luguentz

Dort

Oklahoma City’s season came to an end on Saturday, as they dropped Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals to the Spurs. And with that, the front office has decisions to make regarding the futures of Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams. Each has a team option for next season, with Dort’s being worth a little over $17.7 million. The defensive stalwart hopes to remain with the lone team that he’s played for since entering the NBA in 2019. “The conversation hasn’t happened yet,” Dort said when asked about his team option. “I have a lot of trust in this organization, in Sam (Presti). Really grateful for all the stuff he did for me to this point. I want to stay here. This organization, this city, shaped me as a player. My main goal is to stay here.” Dort has not been a consistently impactful option for fantasy managers in recent seasons. Still, his future in Oklahoma City could affect the ceilings of Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain. If the Thunder were to move on from Dort, there would be an opening in the starting lineup to fill.

Caruso did not play in Thursday’s win over the Lakers, while Dort injured his back during the third quarter and did not return. Their ability to practice is certainly encouraging, with the Thunder facing the Jazz on Sunday.

Dort came out scalding hot, shooting 5-of-5 from the field in the first quarter and producing 14 points and four three-pointers. He didn’t score again, but the Thunder are more concerned about the back injury he suffered in the third quarter. Dort’s layup attempt was blocked by Lakers’ forward Jake LaRavia, with the momentum sending the Thunder wing crashing to the court. Dort walked back to the locker room during a timeout moments later and did not return. The game was a blowout, so it made no sense for him to return regardless of the injury’s severity. Still, this is something to watch with the playoffs on the horizon.

In his prior five appearances, Dort shot a combined 6-of-33 from the field overall and 5-of-26 from beyond the arc. To say he needed a night like Wednesday would be a serious understatement. Dort was 4-of-6 from deep against the Celtics. While the defensive production was limited, category-league managers will take the three-point production, which has not always been there for Dort.

The initial lineup announced by the Thunder had Williams coming off the bench in his first game since February 11. He will start, with Cason Wallace heading to the bench. The other change is Dort, who’s back after a one-game absence. He’ll step into the void left by Ajay Mitchell, who’s serving a one-game suspension after being ejected from Saturday’s win over the Wizards for his role in a second-quarter altercation.

Dort will return to the rotation and the starting lineup on Monday, joining the usual four starters in his first game back following a two-game absence. The Thunder has been the league’s hottest team, and will have a chance to earn a 12th consecutive win on Monday. They enter with the NBA’s best record.

Dort is back after sitting out Saturday’s win over the Wizards with a left knee contusion. His return coincides with Ajay Mitchell’s one-game suspension, so Dort can slide back into the starting five with ease.

Dort wasn’t on the initial injury report, but has been ruled out with a left knee contusion. Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Jared McCain are all candidates to play a few more minutes in Dort’s absence.

This is the second game of a back-to-back, and the Thunder will sit out a few of their key rotation players, including Dort. That will likely mean more minutes for Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, and Jared McCain; although, Dort hasn’t surpassed 20 minutes in either of the last two games.

Dort was tossed after a hip check of Denver’s Nikola Jokić in the backcourt knocked the center to the floor and sparked an altercation. Dort played 28 minutes, finishing with eight points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and two three-pointers, shooting 3-of-7 from the field.