Lakers Defeat Nuggets in Thrilling Overtime Clash

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves lead Lakers to crucial win over Nuggets

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:50am

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The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in a thrilling overtime game at Crypto.com Arena. Luka Doncic hit the game-winning shot in the final seconds of overtime, while Austin Reaves forced the extra period with a clutch play at the end of regulation. The win was critical for the Lakers' playoff positioning in the competitive Western Conference.

Why it matters

This game was a key matchup between two top teams in the Western Conference playoff race. The win gives the Lakers a tiebreaker over the Nuggets and helps solidify their position in the standings with just 15 games remaining in the season.

The details

Doncic finished with a triple-double, scoring 30 points with 13 assists and 11 rebounds. Reaves also had a standout performance, scoring 32 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. In overtime, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart made key contributions to help the Lakers secure the victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who hit the game-winning shot in overtime.

Austin Reaves

A Lakers player who forced overtime with a clutch play at the end of regulation.

Nikola Jokic

The star player for the Denver Nuggets who recorded a triple-double in the game.

Deandre Ayton

A Lakers player who scored 4 of his 9 points in overtime to help secure the win.

Marcus Smart

A Lakers player who hit an important 3-pointer late in overtime to help the team win.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge win for us against a really good team. Luka and Austin both made huge plays down the stretch to get us the victory.”

— Frank Vogel, Lakers Head Coach (Lakers.com)

What’s next

The Lakers will look to build on this win as they continue their critical six-game stretch that could determine their playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

The Lakers' thrilling overtime victory over the Nuggets showcases the team's resilience and star power, as they continue to jockey for position in the highly competitive Western Conference playoff race.