Luka Doncic turned Los Angeles into a theatre of late-night drama, producing another moment that left fans breathless and the Nuggets stunned, YankeeSports reports.
The Slovenian star hit a fall-away jumper with just 0.5 seconds remaining in overtime, sealing a 127-125 victory for the Lakers over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. He finished with 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, continuing his spectacular form during Los Angeles’ five-game winning streak.
Austin Reaves forced overtime with a clever play, rebounding his intentionally missed free throw before sinking a floater with 1.9 seconds left in regulation. “It was the only option, and it worked perfectly,” Reaves said after scoring 32 points.
Jokic shines despite defeat
Nikola Jokic recorded his 27th triple-double of the season with 24 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists. Aaron Gordon led Denver with 27 points, while Tim Hardaway Jr. added 20. However, Jamal Murray endured a miserable night, fouling out early in overtime after shooting just 1-for-14 from the field.
Key moments in overtime
Deandre Ayton scored four of his nine points in the extra period, while Marcus Smart hit a crucial three-pointer to put the Lakers ahead with 30 seconds left. Jokic responded with a driving layup to tie the game, but Doncic created space against Spencer Jones and nailed the decisive 17-footer. He then blocked Hardaway’s last-second attempt to secure the win.
Playoff race intensifies
Both teams entered the night with 41 wins, battling for position in the crowded Western Conference. The Nuggets already held tiebreakers over Houston and Minnesota, but the Lakers denied them a clean sweep in the race for the third seed.
What’s next
The Nuggets will look to bounce back when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, while the Lakers travel to Houston on Monday for another crucial clash in their playoff push.
