The tension between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets remains palpable following the recent clash involving Nikola Jokic and Lu Dort. Just a day after the incident, Thunder player Jaylin Williams shared a photo showing himself and Jokic right after they were separated during the near fight. The picture aimed to highlight that Williams appeared just as prepared to confront Jokic, countering the widely circulated images that focused solely on Jokic’s intimidating expression.
However, the situation escalated further when Thunder center Chet Holmgren reposted Williams’ photo with the caption MF got rabies, seemingly referring to Williams’ fierce readiness to take on Jokic. Some interpreted Holmgren’s comment as a subtle jab towards Jokic’s angry demeanor, which stirred displeasure among Denver fans and fanned the flames of the ongoing rivalry.
The Video Evidence Clarifies the Incident
Chet Holmgren’s remark could be interpreted in multiple ways, but there is little doubt that Jokic had valid reasons to be upset. After missing 16 consecutive games due to a left knee injury, Jokic faced immense pressure to avoid further setbacks to maintain his pursuit of a fourth NBA MVP award. During the game, Dort appeared to deliberately target Jokic’s injured knee, putting the star center at serious risk. Fortunately, a more severe injury was avoided, yet Jokic made it clear he would not ignore the challenge.
Following the foul, Jokic confronted Dort aggressively at center court, while Dort acted as if nothing was wrong. When Jokic bumped him, Dort feigned innocence, but the replay clearly reveals his intent to go after Jokic’s left knee. Not directly involved, Williams possibly stepped in to defend his teammate, who was nearly taken out by Dort’s dangerous play. Jokic then directed a sharp, intense glare at Williams, often referenced as the evil Joker look.
I think what Joke is sensitive of is, once you get hurt and you like…especially when somebody do something as dirty. He was out for a long time. We all gonna get touched up. But when you get hurt and then somebody do dirty to you,
said Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Your antennas are up.”
Holmgren’s Post-Game Comments Show Neutrality
Amid the heated exchange, Holmgren appeared to position himself as somewhat removed from the conflict. By the time he joined the scene, Jokic and Williams had already been separated. Holmgren delivered a strong performance in the game, scoring 15 points on eight shots, grabbing a career-best 21 rebounds, alongside three assists, three blocks, and one steal during 38 minutes on the court. In post-game remarks, he avoided criticism of Jokic.
Anytime two good teams clash, two teams that really want to win, two teams that have seen each other in the regular season and the postseason, you know it’s gonna be physical, it’s gonna be a battle. I’m not a ref, so I’m not gonna sit here and say this is how I would call it and this and that. But one thing I would say that was a tough game to ref,
Holmgren said.
This suggests Holmgren may have been implying that Williams was showing aggressive toughness rather than directly commenting on Jokic. The phrase about “rabies” might simply have been a playful nod to his teammate’s tenacity, though Nuggets supporters may have viewed it as a slight. Both Williams and Holmgren are young players, part of the Gen Z generation, which might mean they are less inclined toward escalating tensions off the court. Whether Jokic adopts this perspective remains to be seen ahead of their next matchup scheduled for March 9.
An unnecessary move and a necessary reaction
– Jokic blasts Dort for his flagrant foul in Nuggets-Thunder clash
Jokic Expresses Disapproval of Dort’s Tactics
Jokic openly condemned Dort’s reckless foul, emphasizing that such actions should never occur during a game. The flagrant nature of the foul endangered Jokic’s health and jeopardized his contributions to the Nuggets. This incident has only heightened the rivalry’s intensity as both teams prepare to meet again.
Chet needs to shut his mouth because about anyone in the league could snap him like a toothpick. There’s a reason every fanbase in the league hates the Thunder. https://t.co/ZY7xe7pYfl
— Boy Named Dana (@Smallball303) March 1, 2026
"When you get hurt, and then somebody do something dirty to you, … your antennas are up."
—Charles Barkley and the Inside the NBA crew reacts after Lu Dort tripped Nikola Jokic, resulting in a Dort ejection. pic.twitter.com/1yPiuS4LgE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 28, 2026
Chet Holmgren talked about the Jokic-Dort-J-Will fight. Said that happens when 2 teams have a playoff history and are super competitive. Also didn’t fault the referees pic.twitter.com/VsFZXTmLQU
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) February 28, 2026
