Luka Doncic scored 30 points and added 13 assists and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in overtime Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
Austin Reaves kept the Lakers alive in regulation, rebounding his own missed free throw and making a floater with 1.9 seconds left to send the game to extra time.
In overtime, Doncic created space for a 17-foot fall-away jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining, securing the win and then blocking Tim Hardaway Jr.’s desperation attempt.
Reaves finished with 32 points, including a perfectly executed free throw sequence to prevent a tying three-pointer from the Nuggets late in regulation.
Nikola Jokic posted his 27th triple-double of the season with 24 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists, while Aaron Gordon led Denver with 27 points. Jamal Murray struggled, fouling out 31 seconds into OT after scoring only five points on 1-of-14 shooting.
Deandre Ayton added nine points for Los Angeles, including four in overtime, and Marcus Smart hit a key 3-pointer to give the Lakers a late lead. Jokic responded with a driving layup to tie it, but the Lakers held on.
Los Angeles improved to 42-25, extending their winning streak to five games and maintaining momentum in the Western Conference playoff race. Denver fell to 41-27, losing a chance to secure a clean tiebreaker over Houston and Minnesota in the crowded middle of the standings.
The Lakers will visit Houston on Monday, while the Nuggets host the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, both teams aiming to solidify their seeding for the postseason.
