Marc Daigneault reacts to David Adelman’s blunt take on Lou Dort

Before the meeting with the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault replied to Denver Nuggets head coach David AdelmanRecent comments are over Lou DortFlagrant-2 against Nikola Jokić in Friday’s win. Adelman called out the Thunder’s Daigneault for his attempt about Dort’s ejection, which was mentioned by a Daigneault reporter before Sunday’s game against the Mavericks.

Daigneault doubled his intake as of Friday night, reminding reporters that his stance on Dort’s flagrant-2 hasn’t changed in the past 48 hours since the Thunder’s 127-121 overtime win against the Nuggets, per Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated.

“I would repeat what I’ve said every time we’ve played Denver for a long time, which is that I have nothing but respect, we have nothing but respect for Denver,” Daigneault said. We have respect from top to bottom. We certainly respect Jokic, Gordon, Murray just because those guys lasted so long together and had so much success, but we respect their personnel.

I mentioned it last year during the playoffs. As I said, I have nothing but the utmost respect. I said it the other night – teams make each other better. That’s why it’s a great game. That’s all I’m going to say about it,” Daigneault concluded.

Mark Daigneault asked about David Adelman’s comment today regarding Lou Dort’s flagrant II on Nikola Jokic ‘We have nothing but respect for Denver’ pic.twitter.com/icNEp339jv

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) March 1, 2026

It’s clear that Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault won’t be replacing Dort because of his flagrant-2. At this point, he’ll stand by his answer that the Nuggets-Thunder matchup is a physical one that brings emotions to a boil.

David Adelman responds to the Thunder’s reaction to Lou Dort’s ejection

Nuggets coach David Adelman didn’t hold back in his meeting with Thunder veteran Lou Dort after a flagrant 2 against All-Star Nikola Jokic ended his night on Friday. Daigneault never criticized Dort for his feisty offense on Jokic, leading to an intriguing response from Adelman ahead of the Nuggets’ Sunday matchup against the Timberwolves on Sunday.

“Yeah, I think it is what it is,” Adelman said. “He’s been more of a level-headed person throughout the season — I think most people are. They’re more productive if they’re level-headed. But there’s a point where we play these games, and what he deals with every night, anybody (would) react that way. If Dort took that shot — and then I guess it wasn’t a big deal from their point of view — it is.

“That was malicious. It was a cheap shot. Lou Dort is a great player, and that’s not what I’ve seen him do before. But at some point you have to stand up for yourself, and the team does. They’re a great team. That’s what the game was. But, yeah, Nikola, that’s who he is, man. You can’t have success in him and not be successful in him. He’s in check, but the guy is very capable and very willing to respond emotionally,” Adelman concluded.

The Thunder will face the Mavericks on Sunday.