While Canada is in the midst of celebrating its second NBA MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his teammate brought some more recognition north of the border.
Montreal’s Luguentz Dort was named to the NBA’s all-defence first team on Thursday, the league announced.
The Oklahoma City Thunder swingman joined Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets) as the five players voted as the league’s top defenders.
While Mobley, the recently named Defensive Player of the Year, secured the most first-team votes (99) and total points (199), Dort was not far behind (81 first-team, 180 total points).
It’s the first time in the Canadian’s career that he’s made either all-defence team after finishing just two points shy of the second team in 2023-24. This season was also Dort’s first time receiving DPOY votes, finishing fourth with 11 first-place votes and 109 total points.
The 26-year-old has been a 3-and-D specialist for a Thunder team that terrorized opposing offences all season as the NBA’s No. 1 ranked defence — a trend that’s continued throughout the playoffs as well.
OKC held Minnesota to 88 points (on 35 per cent shooting) in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, tied for the Timberwolves’ second-lowest scoring game these playoffs. All the while, Dort was Anthony Edwards’ primary defender as the star guard finished with 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting.
Dort wasn’t the only Thunder player to make an all-defence team, as Jalen Williams was named to the second team. The first-time all-star was joined by Ivica Zubac (L.A. Clippers), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Toumani Camara (Portland Trail Blazers) and Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves).
Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander received one first-team vote and 10 second-team votes.
Ballots were cast shortly before the start of the playoffs. The final awards to be handed out by the league to recognize excellence in this regular season will come Friday, when the All-NBA teams are unveiled.
The Thunder return to action on Thursday, looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Timberwolves.
–with files from The Associated Press
