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Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren provided a response to the NBA world labeling the Oklahoma City Thunder as the "villain."

Throughout the 2025-26 NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been a trending topic due to the constant labels of playing “dirty.”

A large part of these accusations has stemmed from the grittiness of guard Lu Dort. The 27-year-old, currently the longest-tenured player on the Thunder’s roster, has been known as one of the top defenders in the league. This claim is backed up by the First-Team All-Defensive selection Dort earned in 2025.

The Thunder’s “dirty” label began in the middle of the regular season, when Dort was seen tripping Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. This led to a scuffle between the two teams, and Jokic responded to the incident, saying, “It’s an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction.”

Fast forward to the playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns, where Dort was seen putting his leg out in front of a cutting Devin Booker. This led to Booker having an injury scare that would later result in his returning to the game.

Whether they are intentional or not, the topics have drawn controversy in the media. This has led to a response from not just Lu Do but also his teammates.

Lu Dort Responds to Label of Playing “Dirty”

While being one of the Thunder’s most important players, Lu Dort has the usual assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top offensive player. A role like this largely involves maintaining a player like Devin Booker or Austin Reaves, rather than completely shutting them down.

It may be difficult, but Dort has become one of the best at it in the entire NBA.

“The fans always look for the villain,” Dort told Logan Murdock of The Ringer. “Everything that I’m doing now, I’ve been doing for years. Whatever they got to say, they got to say, but my main job is to go out there and play the way that I play and [do] anything I can do to help my team win.”

The controversy is seen from Lu Dort. However, it doesn’t appear to be slowing the guard’s antics while also contributing to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s pursuit of a second straight NBA title.

Chet Holmgren Provides a Response to OKC’s “Villain” Title

Whether it’s the “free-throw merchant” title of MVP-hopeful Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or Lu Dort and the Oklahoma City Thunder being labeled as the “villain,” center Chet Holmgren doesn’t appear to be phased by the critics either.

“When you’re a**, nobody cares what you do, good or bad,” the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up told The Ringer. “So if people are trying to put everything you do under a microscope, that means that you’re doing something well and you’re relevant. I think it’s a compliment.”

It’s apparent that the Oklahoma City Thunder are unfazed despite the large amount of hate that’s being thrown their way, and it’s shown. Through five total playoff games this postseason, the Thunder have yet to register a loss.

The Oklahoma City Thunder look to continue their winning streak in the second-round series against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Game 2 between the franchises takes place on Thursday May 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT.