In a clash of titans, Nikola Jokic delivered a masterful performance with 35 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Denver Nuggets (42-19) to a thrilling 124-114 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers (33-29) on Saturday night, as LeBron James made history by reaching the 40,000-point milestone.
With the game hanging in the balance, Aaron Gordon’s crucial 3-pointer with 3:49 remaining sparked Denver’s late surge, sealing their sixth consecutive win in a hard-fought battle against the Lakers.
Michael Porter Jr. showcased his efficiency by going a perfect 10-for-10 from the field, finishing with 25 points, while Jamal Murray contributed 24 points and 11 assists, and Gordon added 18 points to the Nuggets’ winning effort.
Despite LeBron James’ milestone achievement, tallying 26 points and nine assists, the Lakers fell short in their quest for a third consecutive victory, unable to contain Denver’s potent offensive attack down the stretch.
Rui Hachimura impressed for the Lakers with 23 points, while Anthony Davis posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but their contributions were not enough to overcome the Nuggets’ resilience.
James’ historic moment was celebrated with a standing ovation from the crowd, accompanied by a heartfelt tribute from coach Darvin Ham and a special in-arena video presentation honoring his remarkable career.
Throughout the fiercely contested matchup, both teams traded blows, with neither able to gain a decisive advantage until the Nuggets’ dynamic duo of Jokic and Murray stepped up in crunch time, securing the victory for Denver.
