Luguentz Dort’s breakout performance came seven months ago against the Rockets. The rookie from Arizona State earned the first start of his career that January day, and he was asked to defend a fellow Sun Devil.
James Harden was scorching the NBA for 37 points per game, but the rookie rose up. Harden needed 29 shots to score 29 points with Dort guarding him for much of the game. Harden was dismal from deep, shooting 1-of-17 from 3-point range.
Dort became a full-time starter that day forward, and his two-way contract was eventually converted into a long-term extension.