Lakers' JJ Redick Recalls 'Sick' First Experience Playing Against Star Thunder Guard

Ahead of an eventual surprise 126-99 road decimation of the Western Conference's top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reflected on the first time he played a certain pesky Thunder defender.

Redick, a 15-year sharpshooter in the league, recalled not even knowing who Thunder guard Luguentz Dort was when they first matched up against each other.

The 6-foot-4 swingman out of Arizona State went unselected in the 2019 NBA Draft, but has made a name for himself as a defense-first standout on a young and hungry Thunder squad.

Dort inked a five-year, $82.5 million deal to stay with Oklahoma City long-term during the 2022 offseason. Per Oklahoma City beat reporter Michael Martin, Redick looked back on his first time playing against Dort.

Leading into the conversation, Martin seemed to float the possibility of Dort being a fringe contender for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“I remember the first time I played against Lu Dort. I had never heard of him before. I was like who is this guy? He plays so hard. He guarded me for a little bit and I was like Jesus man. This guy is sick.”

I asked Lakers coach JJ Redick about Lu Dort’s elite defense. pic.twitter.com/jgo3VkUNbQ
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) April 6, 2025

“I don't care about awards, but I will say Lu Dort's awesome, he's been awesome. He makes you feel him on every possession. He's relentless. He's one of those guys. Jrue [Holiday] is like this as well. If the game plan is, 'We're going to keep the primary matchup,' he keeps the primary matchup," Redick said.

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Dort, 25, has yet to make even an All-Defensive Team, although that seems likely to change this year. He and Alex Caruso have been absolute menaces on that end of the hardwood for the well-rounded Thunder, who boast a top-five offense and a top-five defense this season.

"I remember the first time I played against Lu Dort. I had never heard of him. He was coming off the bench for OKC in, I think it was the '19-'20 year," Redick said. "I was like, 'Who is this guy? He plays so hard.' He guarded me a little bit and I was like, 'Jesus, man. This guy is sick.'”

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Redick has long been a fan of Dort's defense. He even brought up the subject during his one-and-done year co-hosting Lakers All-Star power forward LeBron James' "Mind The Game" podcast. Redick stepped down once he got the Los Angeles head coaching gig, and has since been replaced by Hall of Fame former Lakers point guard Steve Nash.

.@KingJames talks about what it’s like to go up against skilled defenders like Lu Dort in a series.

Episode 7 with LeBron and @jj_redick is out now: https://t.co/PZEPZ7YtS3 pic.twitter.com/dtjDSiJ6aW
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) May 8, 2024

Despite all these accolades, Dort was virtually powerless to stop five-time All-NBA First Team Lakers guard Luka Doncic from getting whatever he wanted throughout L.A.'s blowout victory.

The 6-foot-6 superstar scored 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the floor (5-of-11 from long range) and 3-of-4 shooting from the free throw line, dished out six dimes, grabbed seven rebounds, and swiped a pair of steals.

Luka Doncic iso

“May I have this dance?”

Toying with the OKC defense with all due respect pic.twitter.com/cJ1Pclf0PV
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) April 6, 2025

Dort had a modest offensive showing, scoring nine points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field, pulling down two boards and passing for one assist.

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