They say a rising tide lifts all boats. From the roar of the Paycom Center crowd to the hushed anticipation in family homes across Montréal-Nord, Luguentz Dort’s path to the NBA Finals is about more than his defensive hustle. It’s a story rooted in family, culture, and quiet resilience.
As the Oklahoma City Thunder guard battles the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals, fans are starting to wonder: is Dort the only athlete in the family, or is there more to the story?
Meet Luguentz Dort’s Family, Who Shaped the Oklahoma City Thunder Guard
Raised in Montréal-Nord, a diverse borough of Montreal, Dort grew up as the youngest of six children. His parents, Lufruentz Dort and Erline Mortel, immigrated to Canada from Saint-Marc, Haiti, in their early 20s. They built a life rooted in Haitian culture and strong family values.
While Dort sharpened his game on neighborhood courts, his five siblings—three sisters (Daphney, Ludnie, and Berline) and two brothers (Frantz Jr. and Eveno)—lived more private lives. Still, it was his older brothers who nudged him toward basketball, encouraging him to switch from soccer, where he once played goalkeeper.
Dort started playing streetball at Saint Laurent Park, using the game as a refuge from the challenges of his neighborhood. His father drove a taxi, and his mother worked in a clothing factory to support the family. Through it all, the Dorts kept their Haitian roots alive—speaking Creole at home and passing down traditions.
“There was a lot of stuff going on [in Haiti], too,” Dort once said. “It was big for me to put ‘Respect Us’ in Creole on my back because of all the stuff that was going on back there.”
After a breakout freshman season at Arizona State, Dort declared for the 2019 NBA Draft. He went undrafted but quickly signed with the Thunder and earned his place as a defensive force.
Pacers Edge Thunder in Game 1 With 111-110 Win
In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Dort delivered a strong performance, scoring 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 5-of-9 from three-point range. He added four rebounds and an assist as Oklahoma City seemed poised to take the opener.
Two words: LUGUENTZ. DORT. pic.twitter.com/08mcYftb6P
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 6, 2025
OKC forced 24 turnovers in the first half and led 57–45 at the break. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 38 points, and Dort added his usual two-way punch. But Indiana stormed back late.
The Pacers pulled off a massive fourth-quarter comeback, tying the largest Finals rally since 1971. Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winner with 0.3 seconds left to seal a 111–110 victory and stun the home crowd.
MORE: Tyrese Haliburton Reveals How the Pacers Rrased a 15-point Deficit
Game 2 tips off June 8 in Oklahoma City. The Thunder will look to reclaim momentum—and Dort, fueled by family and culture, will once again be right in the middle of the fight.
