When the Oklahoma City Thunder brought in Alex Caruso, there were questions about whether Caruso and Lu Dort made sense on the same team. Now none of them are playing. That’s right, Caruso was ruled out before the match. Luguentz Dort exited Thursday’s game against the Pacers in the first quarter, limping off with what seemed to be a left knee injury, as reported by Tony East of SI.com.

The play that sent him to the locker room looked rough. After taking a shot, Dort landed awkwardly, and it was clear something wasn’t right. The Thunder wasted no time—they called a timeout and got him off the floor immediately. Isaiah Joe checked in to replace Dort as the Thunder medical team, led by Dr. Donnie Strack—a former Pacers ball boy and Ulndy graduate—quickly evaluated him.

This scare seemed to be part of a troubling pattern on the Pacers’ court, where multiple players struggled with slippery conditions. Dort wasn’t the only one affected—numerous Thunder players slipped. Later, Indiana forward Obi Toppin hyperextended his knee and was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. The team listed Toppin as questionable to return, adding to the mounting injury concerns of the night.

Fortunately, Lu Dort returned to the bench shortly after and re-entered the game, providing relief for Thunder fans. Toppin also returned to the bench in the second quarter.

Dort becomes a free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season. Plus, they already signed Caruso to an extension.

Will the OKC part ways with Lu Dort now that they have Caruso?

Having two elite perimeter defenders on the same roster might seem like overkill, especially when both are paid pretty well. But the Oklahoma City Thunder are making it work with Alex Caruso, and honestly, it’s paying off. They just locked him in with a four-year, $81 million extension, keeping the defensive whiz and floor spacer for the foreseeable future.

While this move solidifies Caruso’s future in Oklahoma City, it raises questions about the team’s ability to retain other key players down the line. One of those players? Lu Dort.

Dort has won over fans with his grit and tenacity, playing all-out on every single possession. He’s quickly become one of the league’s toughest defenders and has even shown growth in his shooting. But here’s the thing: with Caruso’s extension on the books, Dort’s future with the Thunder is now in jeopardy. He’s been with the team since their rebuild began and has been crucial in shaping their culture alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder would love to have him around for the long haul, but Caruso’s new deal could make that tough.

So far this season, Dort has been a steady presence, starting every game and averaging 9.7 points per game. He’s also setting career-highs in three-point percentage, steals, and blocks. Compare that to Caruso, who’s only putting up 5.5 points and is having a rough time shooting the ball. When Dort’s up for his extension, he’ll surely be eyeing something similar to Caruso’s contract—if not more.

While we don’t know the full details of Caruso’s deal, there could be a team option or non-guaranteed final year to help with future moves. But with Caruso’s extension in place, Dort’s time with the Thunder might be running out.