Lakers Edge Nuggets in OT on Luka Doncic's Last-Second Shot

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

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:25am

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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. Doncic finished with a triple-double of 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, while Austin Reaves scored 32 points for the Lakers. Nikola Jokic recorded his 27th triple-double of the season for the Nuggets, who led by as many as 8 points in the fourth quarter before the Lakers rallied to force overtime.

Why it matters

This hard-fought overtime win against a top Western Conference rival is a significant boost for the Lakers as they look to secure a playoff spot. The game featured stellar individual performances from superstars Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, showcasing the high level of talent in the NBA.

The details

The Lakers trailed by 8 points in the fourth quarter before rallying to force overtime. In the extra period, the teams struggled to score until Deandre Ayton's floater gave the Lakers a 122-120 lead. Aaron Gordon hit a 3-pointer to put the Nuggets back in front, but Doncic's fadeaway jumper at the buzzer won it for Los Angeles.

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

The players

Luka Doncic

A 24-year-old Slovenian superstar and one of the NBA's premier players, Doncic recorded his 11th triple-double of the season in the win.

Nikola Jokic

The 28-year-old Serbian center for the Nuggets, Jokic notched his 27th triple-double of the season, continuing his dominant play.

Austin Reaves

The 25-year-old guard for the Lakers scored a team-high 32 points, including a crucial bucket in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime.

Marcus Smart

The 32-year-old veteran guard for the Lakers hit 5 three-pointers and scored 21 points in the victory.

LeBron James

The 41-year-old Lakers superstar scored 17 points as Los Angeles clinched the season series against Denver.

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What they’re saying

“Luka hit some incredible shots down the stretch to will us to this win. He's a special player and we're lucky to have him.”

— Austin Reaves, Lakers Guard (Los Angeles Times)

“We had our chances but couldn't quite finish it off. Hats off to the Lakers, they made the plays when it counted most.”

— Nikola Jokic (Denver Post)

What’s next

The Lakers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Nuggets will aim to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This thrilling overtime battle between two Western Conference contenders showcased the incredible talent and competitiveness at the highest level of the NBA. The Lakers' ability to rally late and Doncic's heroics proved to be the difference in a game that lived up to the hype.