Lakers Top Nuggets on Luka Doncic's Last-Second OT Winner

Doncic's fadeaway jumper lifts Lakers to victory over Nuggets in overtime thriller

Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:49am

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Luka Doncic hit a baseline jumper with 0.5 seconds left in overtime to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 127-125 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. Doncic finished with a triple-double of 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, while Austin Reaves added 32 points for the Lakers. Nikola Jokic recorded his 27th triple-double of the season for the Nuggets.

Why it matters

The Lakers' victory over the Nuggets, one of the top teams in the Western Conference, is a significant win as Los Angeles continues its push for a playoff spot. Doncic's heroics in the clutch showcase his superstar abilities and the Lakers' ability to win close games against elite opponents.

The details

In the overtime period, Marcus Smart's 3-pointer gave the Lakers a 125-123 lead with 31 seconds left. Jokic tied the game with 15.1 seconds remaining, but Doncic's fadeaway jumper at the buzzer won it for Los Angeles. The Lakers rallied from a late deficit in regulation to force overtime, with Reaves' bucket in the final seconds sending the game to the extra period.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

A 24-year-old All-Star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who hit the game-winning shot in overtime.

Nikola Jokic

A 28-year-old All-NBA center for the Denver Nuggets who recorded his 27th triple-double of the season in the loss.

Austin Reaves

A 25-year-old guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who scored 32 points, including the bucket that sent the game to overtime.

Marcus Smart

A 31-year-old veteran guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who hit a key 3-pointer in overtime to give the Lakers the lead.

LeBron James

A 41-year-old future Hall of Famer and Lakers superstar who scored 17 points in the victory.

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What they’re saying

“Luka's shot at the buzzer was just incredible. He's such a special player and to see him make that kind of play in a big moment is why he's one of the best in the league.”

— LeBron James (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Lakers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Their next game is against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, March 18th.

The takeaway

Luka Doncic's heroics in the clutch once again demonstrate his superstar status, while the Lakers' ability to rally and win a close game against a top opponent like the Nuggets shows their resilience and potential to make a deep playoff run.