For their first overtime of the season, the Lakers snatched victory (127-125) against the Nuggets, thanks to a decisive shot from Luka Doncic 0.5 seconds from the siren.
The match starts with a winning shot from Jamal Murray, but the Lakers respond quickly with impressive outside skill. Marcus Smart, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves chained winning baskets to quickly give Los Angeles seven steps ahead. Despite some reactions from the Nuggets, the Californians remained effective in attack and ended the first quarter with an eight-point lead (34-26).
The Lakers continue their momentum in the second quarter. Marcus Smart scores another long-distance shot and LeBron James scores five points to widen the gap. Denver tries to come back with a short series, but Los Angeles controls the pace thanks to its skill and leads by eleven points at halftime (61-50).
Returning from the locker room, Denver raises its voice. Aaron Gordon is effective and Nikola Jokic starts the comeback. The gap gradually melted and, after several consecutive baskets from the Nuggets, a series of points from Bruce Brown finally allowed Denver to equalize at the end of the third quarter (87-87).
Le miracle Reaves
The last act is extremely tight. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Aaron Gordon allow the Nuggets to take the advantage, going so far as to have an eight-point lead. The Lakers, however, come back thanks to Reaves and Doncic. In the final minutes, the two teams exchange baskets and lead changes. At 41, LeBron throws himself like a rookie to save a ball, and his teammates can’t believe it!
With 5 seconds left, Austin Reaves was sent to the line as Denver led by three points. He makes the first shot then intentionally misses the second, recovers the rebound and scores a floater at 1.9 seconds to tie the score and send the two teams to overtime (118-118).
In overtime, Jamal Murray is quickly sent off for six fouls and both teams struggle physically. Deandre Ayton scores two important baskets for Los Angeles, but Nikola Jokic equalizes with 15 seconds remaining. On the last possession, Doncic creates space with his defender and makes a mid-distance fadeaway 0.5 seconds from the buzzer to give the Lakers victory.
LUKA HITS THE GO-AHEAD JUMPER TO WIN IT FOR THE LAKERS IN OT pic.twitter.com/CIkuCBvExv
— NBA (@NBA) March 15, 2026
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Triple-double. Hero of the match, Doncic finished with a triple-double of 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, and the Slovenian should logically be elected Player of the Week. On the Denver side, Jokic also signed a triple-double (24 points, 16 rebounds, 14 assists) and the two friends put on a superb show in the second half.
Tie-breaker. Fifth victory in a row for the Lakers, but also 8th success in nine matches to regain 3rd place from the Rockets. The most important thing is that the Lakers regain the tie-breaker from the Nuggets in the event of a tie at the end of the season.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
