The refereeing has been a major source of online frustration throughout the 2024-25 NBA playoffs. Those conversations, with the focus zeroed in on the Finals series, have only amplified as the Indiana Pacers battle against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder’s brand of physical defense, in stark contrast to their penchant for drawing fouls, has left multiple franchises and fan bases frustrated. After fan complaints about the officiating to begin the game, the situation reached a fever pitch after a specific call made on Bennedict Mathurin against Lu Dort.
Lu Dort Draws Ire of NBA Fans for Ticky-Tack Foul Call
Luguentz Dort, since coming into the league, has been one of the best perimeter defenders in the entire NBA. His brand of physical, hard-nosed basketball has been a welcome change of pace from the speed of the modern NBA.
However, his brand of physicality also demands a certain level of leniency from the officials, as he partakes in the occasional hand/hip checking. But the frustration from fans stems from the perceived inequality in treatment.
On the other end of the floor, Dort is constantly hunting for fouls, as he tries to sell contact with what most fans describe as exaggerated displays or flopping. Near the end of the first half, the problem was on full display.
As he tried to pick up Andrew Nembhard full court, Bennedict Mathurin came over to screen him away from the ball handler. However, right at the point of contact, Dort flailed and fell on the ground, even with the contact marginal at best.
Fans were understandably upset, as one fan immediately wrote, “Refs reward Lu Dort with the flop AGAIN, its GAME 7 ffs.”
Refs reward Lu Dort with the flop AGAIN, its GAME 7 ffs pic.twitter.com/wuS38CvYHj
— Tedd Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) June 23, 2025
Another account took it a step further, claiming that the All-Defensive team member was “a disgrace.”
Lu Dort is a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/62lyuB1AVY
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 23, 2025
On the year, Dort had one of his best seasons, averaging 10.1 points on 41.2% shooting from 3-point territory. A steadily improving shooter, this was his first season breaking the 40% barrier, emerging as one of the best 3-and-D wings in the league.
He was a critical piece to the Thunder’s defense, which finished as the best in the league on defensive rating (107.5), with the difference between them and the second-place team being substantial.
Individually, Dort was a 0.8 in defensive box plus-minus after finishing as a net negative in each of his first five seasons. Similarly, he also had his best year by defensive win shares, adding 3.2 in that column.
