"Dorture Chamber is real" - Fans react after Luka Doncic records more turnovers than made baskets in forgettable performance

Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic struggled mightily offensively during Tuesday's 118-104 NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the OKC Thunder. Afterward, NBA fans were divided on the reasoning behind the five-time All-Star's forgettable night.

Doncic finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, four steals and two 3-pointers. However, he shot only 5-for-15 (33.3%) while racking up six turnovers.

Following the game, StatMuse pointed out on X/Twitter that Doncic's giveaways exceeded his made baskets. The outlet added that he was "put in the Dorture Chamber," with Thunder wing Luguentz Dort hounding him all evening.

Many fans praised Dort for playing lockdown defense on the reigning NBA scoring champion.

"DORTURE CHAMBER IS REAL," @Dimes4MVP said.

"Dort (is) the best perimeter defender in the league, simple as that," @michae1craig wrote.

"Dort locked him up," @StephMuse_ said.

However, others asserted that Dort got away with dirty plays throughout the contest.

"Dort is playing tackle football, but okay, lil dude," @CaughtByCeeDee wrote.

"He was trash tonight, but that's not a good defense," @4estRangers said.

"Fouled all night by one of the dirtiest players in the league. Congrats," @bailey_kiehl wrote.

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Luguentz Dort on limiting Luka Doncic to 16 points

Following Tuesday's showdown, Luguentz Dort touched on his defensive assignment against Luka Doncic.

Dort highlighted his and Doncic's mutual respect and competitiveness whenever they match up.

"It's always respect," Dort said, via Thunder reporter Clemente Almanza. "Anytime we see each other, it's a challenge. We always go out against each other and compete. He's a helluva player."

However, Dort also credited his teammates, noting that "it's never a one-man job." In addition to his pesky defense, Thunder guards Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace also helped shut down Doncic.

Through 24 games, OKC (19-5) ranks first in the NBA in defensive rating (103.4). So, Tuesday's team defensive effort wasn't an outlier.

The Thunder will face the winner of Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets in Saturday's semifinals in Las Vegas.

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