NBA FINALS: THUNDER VS. PACERS

June 5, 2025

Lu Dort

Oklahoma City Thunder

Game 1: Postgame

Pacers 111, Thunder 110

Q. Shai was in here saying it doesn't really matter how you lose, it's still a loss. The way this one went down, how do you guard against not having it have carryover?

LU DORT: I mean, he's right. He's right. The game is ups and downs all the time. You just got to finish it. Losing like that hurts, but at the same time there's a couple things we could have done better.

It's a long series. Got to get back tomorrow, watch the film, see what stuff we can get better at, be right back at it in a couple days.

Q. Was this kind of reminiscent of Denver Game 1 for you, just a game that you controlled for the most part, game-winning shot at the end? Is that experience you can draw back upon?

LU DORT: Sure, yeah. Yeah, happened before. Obviously we got the right approach throughout the whole series against Denver. Like I said, this is a different team. So we got to go back, watch film, really get better. Try not to let that happen again.

Q. The things that you have relied upon since the beginning of the build, 0-0 mentality, 48-minute game, how anticipatory are you that those are the things that are going to be tested here in the Finals?

LU DORT: Yeah, still the same mentality honestly. Next game we going with a 0-0 mentality, just go out there and try to win the game.

Like I said, it's one game, it's a long series. So we'll be better next game.

Q. You had them really in hell for the first half as far as your defensive pressure. What happened in the second half?

LU DORT: I guess they did a better job taking care of the ball. Our intensity has been the same. Like they hit a lot of tough shots. But that's just how we play. We play really hard and we try to turn them over. I feel like they just took care of the ball.

Q. Despite the loss, you shot the ball pretty well, kept the Thunder in it offensively for a little bit. Talk about getting into Finals Game 1 and putting that on your shoulders.

LU DORT: Yeah, I just have to shoot the right shots honestly, be in the right spots. We got a lot of guys that are high-level a lot of defenders. Whenever I can, I'll try my best to do it and shoot it with confidence.

Q. To have forced them into 19 turnovers in the first half, but only be up 12 at halftime, what was the process like offensively?

LU DORT: I mean, some of the looks that we usually make, we missed them, I guess. They turned the ball over a lot. We could have converted, do a better job of converting on offense.

They're a good team. They're in this position for a reason, too. Like I said, watch film and be better next game.

Q. You personally did have four steals, a couple blocks. Was there something you saw as you were studying this team that allowed you to be that aggressive, that successful?

LU DORT: Honestly, just be in the game. At that end of the floor I move a lot, I pay a lot of attention to some of the stuff that they do. Anytime I can sneak one in there, a steal or block I'll go. That's just how I play. Whenever I get to do a play like that for my teammates, I'll do it.