Lu Dort pulled a Lu Dort during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.
The Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Dort got away with an elbow to the head area of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. During the first quarter of the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., Dort passed out of a three-point attempt and swung his arm backwards, catching Haliburton with his left elbow.
No foul was called though as referee James Capers (who was in the immediate vicinity) did not blow his whistle. The Thunder went on to miss a shot at the rim, igniting a Pacers fast break. Here is the video of the play.
Lu Dort elbowed Tyrese Haliburton in the face pic.twitter.com/nVmmpvm2ZF
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 12, 2025
Haliburton remained down for a few moments as play continued. But he was eventually able to get up to his feet and ultimately looked to be OK.
An All-Defensive First Team selection this season, Dort is known as one of the fiercest perimeter stoppers in the league (and also made a strong contribution offensively with three triples during the first quarter of Game 3). But Dort is also a very unpopular figure among opposing fanbases due to his history of seemingly dirty plays.
Dort, who is often tasked with defending rival superstars, has become fairly notorious for his overly physical and extracurricular style of play. In fact during a Thunder game earlier this season, Dort ended up getting ejected for a nut shot on a stationary opponent.