Thunder's Lu Dort Expresses Unfiltered Opinion on Tyrese Haliburton as NBA Finals Showdown Approaches
Kicking Off the Battle: The Oklahoma City Thunder are back in the NBA Finals for a second shot at their maiden championship since their 2008 relocation. But they've got a formidable foe in the Indiana Pacers, who have proven time and again in these playoffs that they're no walk in the park, particularly when the odds are stacked against them.
Leading the charge for the Pacers is none other than Tyrese Haliburton. His selfless play, sharp execution, and swift tempo pose a significant challenge for the Thunder's defense. To counter this, OKC heavyweight Lu Dort plans to lock down Haliburton, likening the task to imprisoning a modern-day Point God.
"He's a wicked good player. He's their go-to guy, he touches the ball a bunch. My approach for any matchup is I've just got to make it difficult. It's not just me, it's the whole team. A player like that that can really take over, you just gotta give him a lot of headaches," Dort said during a pre-Game 1 press conference, as reported by Clemente Almanza of the Thunder Wire.
Curtailing the Pacers' high-powered offense won't be a stroll in the park, but the Thunder seem equipped for the task. Alongside Dort, they can field Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace against Haliburton, whereas the Pacers lack any glaring weaknesses to exploit in pick-and-roll actions, unlike in their previous battles.
Thunder's Defense Up Against Its Toughest Test
Throughout the season, the Thunder have been a defensive powerhouse. Both the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves ran out of steam under the Thunder's relentless pressure, committing numerous turnovers. In the 2025 playoffs, OKC averages 20.8 deflections per game, and they'll need to inflict similar chaos on the Pacers to win.
While the Pacers might be prepared for this, Haliburton's ability to handle the pressure and drive the team's offense could be the deciding factor. Nonetheless, the Thunder have reached this point by never underestimating their opponents, so expect nothing less than their best defensive effort in search of their first title.
Insight:
According to various reports, Haliburton has been struggling slightly in the Finals, averaging 14 points and 10 assists per game, a notable drop from his playoff averages of 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game over 16 games[3]. Whether this is due to the Thunder's defense, the pressure of the Finals, or just an off series remains to be seen. However, the smart money is on the Thunder to maintain their defensive intensity and aim to make life even more challenging for Haliburton as the series progresses.
Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers' go-to player, faces a challenge from OKC's defense, particularly from Lu Dort, who plans to make Haliburton's life difficult. The Thunder's defense, which has been a powerhouse throughout the season, will be put to its toughest test against the Pacers' high-powered offense, with the performance of Haliburton potentially being the deciding factor in the playoffs.
