The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without one of their defensive anchors on Tuesday night, as Lu Dort has been ruled out for their road matchup against the Golden State Warriors due to a right adductor strain. No timetable has been set for his return, which leaves a noticeable gap in OKC’s perimeter defense.
Dort’s numbers this season-eight points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in just over 29 minutes per game-don’t leap off the stat sheet. But his impact goes far beyond the box score.
The 6-foot-4 guard has carved out a reputation as one of the league’s premier defenders, capable of taking on bigger wings and holding his ground against elite scorers. His presence is a big reason why the Thunder currently sit atop the NBA with a stingy 103.6 defensive rating.
That defensive identity has been a cornerstone of OKC’s early-season dominance. At 20-1, the Thunder own the best record in the league and are riding a 12-game winning streak heading into Tuesday’s contest. Losing Dort, even temporarily, puts added pressure on the rest of the rotation to maintain that defensive intensity-especially against a Warriors team that, despite its ups and downs, still has plenty of firepower.
There is some good news for OKC, though. Aaron Wiggins made his return in Sunday’s 123-115 win over the Portland Trail Blazers after missing 11 straight games with a left adductor strain. While the specifics of his injury were never fully disclosed, his return adds some much-needed depth to the wing rotation, especially in Dort’s absence.
Still, the Thunder won’t be at full strength. Alex Caruso (right quad soreness) and Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain) are both set to miss their second straight game. That’s three key rotation players out, and while OKC has shown it can win in different ways, depth will be tested on this road trip.
The Thunder have been one of the most balanced teams in the league this season, blending elite defense with efficient offense and strong chemistry. But Tuesday night’s game in San Francisco will be a gut check.
Can OKC keep the streak alive without one of its defensive linchpins? We’re about to find out.