OKC Thunder: Lu Dort cleared to play vs. Houston Rockets in Game 2 of NBA Playoffs
Thunder guard Luguentz Dort has been cleared to play in Game 2 against the Rockets, coach Billy Donovan said before the game.
Donovan didn't confirm if Dort will reenter the starting lineup when the Thunder and Rockets tip-off at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The rookie logged 28 consecutive starts prior to suffering a right knee sprain that kept him sidelined for Game 1.
Dort's return gives the Thunder perhaps its best option to defend Rockets star James Harden.
"Clearly if you look at how much we got beat off the dribble last game, not to say that he can take care of all of it — we gotta do a better job collectively as a team — but certainly he's always been a guy that's really, really good guarding the ball," Donovan said. "We'll see how he's actually moving when he's out there."
Dort participated in contact portions of practice Monday and Wednesday.
"It was just a process of him gradually doing a little bit more each day," Donovan said. "We felt like when the injury happened, a big day was going to be the next day, the next 48 hours. And he responded pretty well."
Joe Mussatto joined The Oklahoman in August 2018 to cover OU football, men’s basketball and softball. He previously covered University of Kentucky football and basketball for SEC Country. Mussatto is from Oklahoma City and lives in Norman. Read more ›