Trending Now - Lakers Win Overtime Thriller Against Nuggets Despite Controversy
WHO:
Los Angeles Lakers
Denver Nuggets
Luka Dončić, player for the Lakers
Austin Reaves, player for the Lakers
LeBron James, player for the Lakers
Marcus Smart, player for the Lakers
Deandre Ayton, player for the Lakers
Nikola Jokić, player for the Nuggets
Tim Hardaway Jr., player for the Nuggets
Jamal Murray, player for the Nuggets
Christian Braun, player for the Nuggets
Bruce Brown, player for the Nuggets
Rui Hachimura, player for the Lakers
Jaxson Hayes, player for the Lakers
JJ Redick, Lakers coach
WHAT:
Austin Reaves stated, "I mean, I knew I was going to miss," regarding his intentionally missed free throw.
Luka Dončić described his game-winning shot, saying, "Went to my left hand, to my left stepback. I did that a couple times throughout my career, so I just trust the shot."
LeBron James praised Dončić, calling him "a big-time player, man" and noted, "It's going to be just the first of many game winners like that for him in a Lakers uniform."
Lakers coach JJ Redick remarked on James' effort, saying, "I told [James] after the game... I never saw you make a full-out extension dive like that."
The NBA's Last Two Minute Report stated that Spencer Jones "cleanly dislodges the ball away from Reaves" in an incorrect foul call with 9.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers are 18-6 in clutch games this season, the best record in the NBA.
Austin Reaves intentionally missed a free throw with 5.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, which led to his tying floater with 1.9 seconds left.
Luka Dončić's game-winning fadeaway jumper was an 18-foot shot with 0.5 seconds remaining in overtime.
Deandre Ayton scored four points in overtime, contributing to the Lakers' performance during that period.
The Lakers have climbed to No. 3 in the Western Conference standings, holding a half-game lead over the No. 4 Houston Rockets.
The Lakers' next games against the Houston Rockets are scheduled for March 16th, 2026, and March 18th, 2026.
The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 127-125 in overtime.
Austin Reaves scored 32 points, leading the Lakers.
Luka Dončić recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds.
LeBron James scored 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Marcus Smart contributed 21 points and five steals.
The game went into overtime after Reaves tied the score at 118-118 with a floater.
Dončić hit a game-winning fadeaway jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining in overtime.
The Lakers have won five consecutive games and eight of their last nine.
WHERE:
The game took place in Los Angeles.
WHEN:
The game occurred on March 14th, 2026.
The Lakers will play the Houston Rockets on March 16th, 2026, at 6:30 PM PT.
WHY:
The Lakers aimed to secure the tiebreaker for the season-series against the Nuggets and improve their postseason positioning.
HOW:
LeBron James made a full-out extension dive to stop Christian Braun from getting an offensive rebound, leading to a jump ball at center court.
Marcus Smart had a strip leading to a go-ahead layup with 46.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and followed that with a go-ahead 3-pointer with 30.7 seconds left in overtime.
Reaves intentionally missed a free throw to secure an offensive rebound, leading to his tying floater.
Dončić executed a stepback fadeaway jumper to win the game.
The Lakers utilized strong defensive plays, including a steal by Smart leading to a go-ahead layup.
(UPDATED March 16, 2026 05:35 UTC)
In a thrilling game last night, Luka Dončić hit a game-winning shot, showcasing his skill with a left-handed stepback that he confidently described as a move he's trusted throughout his career. LeBron James praised Dončić as "a big-time player" and noted that this is just the beginning of many game winners for him in a Lakers uniform, while coach JJ Redick highlighted James' impressive effort during the match. The Lakers continue to shine in clutch situations, boasting an 18-6 record in those critical moments this season, the best in the NBA.
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(UPDATED March 15, 2026 23:03 UTC)
In a thrilling game last night, Austin Reaves intentionally missed a free throw with just 5.2 seconds left, allowing him to tie the game with a floater just 1.9 seconds before the buzzer. Luka Dončić then sealed the victory for his team with an 18-foot fadeaway jumper, hitting it with only half a second remaining in overtime, while Deandre Ayton added four crucial points during that period. With this win, the Lakers have moved up to third place in the Western Conference, holding a narrow half-game lead over the Houston Rockets, whom they will face again on March 16 and March 18.
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(UPDATED March 15, 2026 13:18 UTC)
In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Denver Nuggets 127 to 125 on March 14, with Austin Reaves leading the charge by scoring 32 points. Luka Dončić also shone for the Lakers, notching a triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds, while LeBron James added 17 points to the victory. The Lakers will look to extend their winning streak to six games when they face the Houston Rockets on March 16 at 6:30 PM PT.