Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 120‑113 Thursday at Ball Arena, with All-Stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each scoring 28 points.
Jokic added 12 rebounds and 13 assists for his 23rd triple-double of the season, offsetting nine turnovers and keeping Denver ahead in the tightly contested Western Conference race.
The Nuggets opened the game with a 16‑3 run and led by as many as 15 points, while turnovers allowed the Lakers to stay within striking distance throughout.
LeBron James made history with his 15,838th career field goal, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and finished with 16 points despite leaving temporarily with a left elbow injury late in the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 27 points but could not overcome Denver’s balanced scoring and efficient shooting.
Murray’s 20 first-half points were critical for the short-handed Nuggets, who were missing key players including Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Cam Johnson (ankle), Spencer Jones (shoulder), and Peyton Watson (hamstring).
The Lakers were also affected by injury, losing Deandre Ayton to a first-half knee issue.
Denver shot 52% from the field and 45% from three, while the Lakers converted 52% of their shots and 42% from deep, but turnovers and Nuggets’ early lead proved decisive.
Doncic picked up his 15th technical foul of the season, meaning one more will trigger an automatic one-game suspension.
With the victory, the Nuggets improve to 39‑24, staying a step ahead of Los Angeles (37‑25) in the Western Conference standings.
Denver Nuggets host the New York Knicks Friday, and the Los Angeles Lakers return home to face the Indiana Pacers.
