OKC Thunder Lands Lu Dort, Jalen Williams on NBA All-Defensive Teams First Time

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been recognized for their outstanding defense this NBA season, with Luguentz Dort named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team and Jalen Williams earning Second Team honors, marking the first time in franchise history that multiple players received All-Defensive honors in the same year. Dort, who received 81 first-place votes and finished with the third-highest total, was praised for his scrappy defensive plays, including a pivotal steal in the Western Conference Finals Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, contributing to the Thunder's dominant 118-103 victory. Williams and Dort anchored a defense that led the NBA in several categories, including defensive rating, steals, and turnovers forced, helping the Thunder achieve a league-best 68-14 record. Dort was also recognized alongside elite defenders such as Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, Draymond Green, Dyson Daniels, and Amen Thompson on the All-Defensive First Team, while Williams was on the Second Team with notable players like Rudy Gobert and Jaren Jackson Jr. These defensive accolades complement the Thunder's broader success, highlighted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP award, showcasing the team's rise as a formidable force in the NBA. Teammates and analysts alike have lauded Dort's defensive prowess, with Jalen Williams joking that Dort should make the All-Defensive team multiple times due to his consistent impact.