Lou Dort shares strong insight into OKC’s confidence amid 15-1 start

OKLAHOMA CITY — For Lou Dortthe Oklahoma City ThunderAn unwavering confidence can be contagious from inside a team’s locker room. After Dort managed to pull himself out of the fall in Monday’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans, he helped the Thunder secure their 15th win in 16 outings as the defending champions extended their league-best record to 15-1.

Dort discovered the importance of his team’s trust that reverberates through the locker room before moving into games, where Dort has combined for eight 3-pointers in two straight outings, including a 113-99 win against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

“We’re really comfortable and confident. I feel like that’s coming from a lot of guys and that’s big,” Dort said. “Whenever you go to a game and you know that the whole team is confident and fearless – that’s big. And every time, in the locker room, before the game, you see it in everyone’s eyes.”

While the Thunder played a not-so-great game, they turned it around in the third quarter against the Kings with an eight-point lead (58-50) intact at halftime. Oklahoma City held the Kings to 19 points before the final frame, as Shai Giljus-Alexander scored 28 of his game-high 33 points through three quarters.

Dort made three of his four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 14 points. Chet Holmgren added 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, and Ajay Mitchell leads the bench with 13 points, six assists and two steals.

Mark Daigneault celebrates Lou Dort’s shot in the Thunder’s win

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault knows Lou Dort’s confidence would shine in the form of breaking through his shooting slump to start the regular season. As a career 35.8% 3-point shooter midway through his seventh season with the Thunder, his sub-28% clip had to improve in a big way this week.

After Wednesday’s win, Daigneault praised Dort’s impact against the Kings.

“He has a confidence that transcends the circumstances of the game,” Daigneault said. “He’s going to step up and make a big shot at the most unpredictable time. Tonight was a good example. He made big shots tonight when it seemed like we really needed it.”

The Thunder will face the Jazz on the road on Friday.