We’re right in the middle of the NBA Finals, where the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder are engaged in an intense championship battle. Both teams are riding a 1-1 record, which means that this best-of-seven series will be a tough show because neither team wants to give the other team an easy time.
Speaking of the Thunder, their defense has been a major talking point, drawing attention from all corners of the basketball world. You wouldn’t be wrong to say they have built their identity around defense. Even their shooting guard, Luguentz Dort, has recently made a bold claim, stating that the Thunder have established one of the best defensive teams in NBA history.
Why Luguentz Dort Thinks Thunder’s Defense Is Among the Greatest Ever
The 26-year-old small forward of the Thunder is best known for his elite defense. Dort has also built a reputation as one of the league’s top perimeter defenders, even earning a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2025. He knows how well his team is performing as a defensive unit, and he isn’t shy about praising their progress.
However, their journey wasn’t easy. Last season, their lack of experience held them back, despite having a strong regular season. Dort reflected on their playoff disappointment, emphasizing how the team learned from its mistakes.
According to “The Players’ Tribune,” he said, “Last year, we were right there. It just came down to a lack of experience. We were a young team that had a lot of success in the regular season, which is always a good thing. But the playoffs and the regular season are almost like two different seasons. Teams scout the playoffs differently because a team can play in a way that maybe they hadn’t all season. And we expected that, but it was new for us to adjust so quickly.”
“Defense wins championships.”
The statement was mocked when Nico Harrison said it a couple months ago. But with OKC, it rings true.
This season, the Thunder’s 106.6 defensive rating led the NBA by a wide margin. They’ve been even better in the playoffs – boasting a… pic.twitter.com/SDS4b8OtYx
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 9, 2025
This season, they have transformed into a defensive powerhouse, leading the league with a 107.5 defensive rating and 10.6 steals per game. Their ability to shut down opposing offenses has been a key factor in their historic 68-14 record, the best in the NBA.
Dort highlighted the team’s defensive mindset, stating, “We’ll make it tough on your best player. We’ll make you turn the ball over. We want to make it hell for you. When you play us, you have to make sure you’re taking care of the ball.”
The Thunder’s defense has been particularly suffocating in the playoffs, holding opponents to just 40.1 points per game in the paint, the best mark among teams that advanced past the first round. Their ability to keep the ball out of the lane and swarm the paint has frustrated opponents, including the Pacers, who struggled to generate offense in the Finals.
He explained, “When you play us, you have to make sure you’re taking care of the ball… It’s not just a couple dudes getting stops, either. It’s really something that everybody on our team can take pride in. We all put in the effort. And we stood on that the whole season. That’s why we’re one of the best defensive teams in the history of the NBA.”
Dort and teammate Jalen Williams were both named to the NBA All-Defensive Teams, marking the first time in Thunder history that multiple players received the honor. So, it’s easy to see where the 26-year-old forward gets the confidence to call them the best defensive unit in the league.
