![\"NBA:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28413058.jpg\")
Mar 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) guards in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nNikola Jokic had 28 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to overcome nine turnovers, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 on Thursday night in a crucial Western Conference matchup.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n LeBron James finished with 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting to reach another milestone in his 23rd season. James entered the night two behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in made field goals in NBA history and passed the all-time great on a 12-foot turnaround jumper in the first quarter.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n James, who now has made 15,842 shots in his career, didn’t reach the end of the game, though. He exited with 3:58 to go in the fourth quarter after sinking a layup, falling to the floor and hurting his left elbow.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n In the first quarter, Los Angeles’ Deandre Ayton exited for good due to a knee injury. Coach JJ Redick had no substantive updates about either player postgame.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Jamal Murray scored 28 points, Julian Strawther had 18 points, Christian Braun contributed 15 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 off the bench for the Nuggets.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Luka Doncic had 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists but picked up his 15th technical foul of the season in the second quarter. One more and he will serve a one-game suspension.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Jaxson Hayes scored 19 points and Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves finished with 16 points each for the Lakers, who had their three-game winning streak stopped.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Denver, playing without four of its top forwards, led the entire game. The Nuggets were up 102-91 early in the fourth when Los Angeles rallied, getting within 112-111 with 2:05 left after Reaves split a pair of free throws.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Jokic hit a short hook to make it a three-point lead, and then followed Smart’s missed 3-pointer with a running layup to make it 116-111 with 22.3 seconds left.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Doncic missed a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 20.1 seconds left and Denver closed it out at the line.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The teams traded runs in the first half, with the Nuggets leading by as many as 15, and took a 64-54 advantage into halftime.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Lakers pulled within 82-78 midway through the third quarter, Denver responded to lead by 11 but Doncic hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute, including a sharp-angle bank shot to make it 93-86 heading into the fourth.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n