NBA FINALS: THUNDER VS. PACERS

June 15, 2025

Luguentz Dort

Oklahoma City Thunder

Practice Day

Q. How important is momentum in this part of the series?

LUGUENTZ DORT: Huge. You know, getting a big one on the road, coming back home in front of our people is great. It's the position you want to be in right now in this series. Just got to go out there and use all that momentum to keep going.

Q. Wanted to get your thoughts, you guys only hit three threes, but got a huge win away from home? What can you do to generate more looks?

LUGUENTZ DORT: I would say moving the ball a little bit better. On that, we just had to find a way to win. Even if the shots weren't falling, and couldn't generate that, the best shot we can get is fine. We're just trying to find a way to win which we did last game. Watching the film, maybe we have to move the ball a little better and find better shots.

Q. Is there a different mindset from Game 1 to Game 5?

LUGUENTZ DORT: Mindset is still the same. Have to go out there and compete at a high level and give our best shot to win. The mindset is always the same.

Q. What do you feel like you've done well against Tyrese throughout the series?

LUGUENTZ DORT: Trying my best to stay in front of him. He can do a lot, generate a lot of stuff for them. My main thing is to stay in front of him and make everything tough.

Q. You have this paint defense that you never give up points in the paint, but he wants to get in there all the time. Do you feel like that's a team thing? Why have you been so successful at keeping him away from where he wants to go so bad?

LUGUENTZ DORT: I would say it's a team effort. We have guys that can do a great job on that end of the floor. It's just the trust that we have defensively. Every time somebody can step up and make a play, they will.

Q. You've been around Shai for six years now. What is it about him that he's so unrattled and he can do what he does in the fourth quarter?

LUGUENTZ DORT: Honestly, I'm not surprised. I've seen it all. He's really built for those type of moments. He wants to go out and make the big plays. I give him a lot of credit. I think it’s all the work he has done and as a leader of our team, we want him to take those shots.

Q. Happy Father's Day, your first Father's Day in the NBA. How much has that changed your perspective as a player?

LUGUENTZ DORT: A lot. It's been great. All the ups and downs of emotions throughout the whole playoffs, I'm going home to my little one and just get a smile and he doesn't know anything about what's going on, it's the best feeling. After a good game, a loss, anytime I go back home, I'm always happy.

Q. Talking about the ups and downs, what has been the biggest takeaway from the series so far?

LUGUENTZ DORT: Handling their pressure and taking care of the ball. They are a great defensive team. So everything we can do to take care of the ball, we'll be in a good position.

Q. Has your comfort level in the series changed now with four games done?

LUGUENTZ DORT: That’s what the playoffs is about. Always going to be different game, always going to have to adjust to a lot of stuff. Comfort level is still the same. Just got to go out there and compete and play hard and give it our best shot.