Luka Dončić’s Clutch Shot Lifts Lakers Over Nuggets, Secures Key Tiebreaker

Los Angeles, CA – March 15, 2026 – A dramatic game-winning step-back jumper from Luka Dončić in the final second of overtime propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to a 127-125 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. The win not only extends the Lakers’ winning streak to five games but likewise secures a crucial tiebreaker advantage over Denver in a tightly contested Western Conference playoff race.

A Back-and-Forth Battle

The Lakers jumped out to an early lead, building a 17-point advantage in the second quarter. However, the Nuggets mounted a significant comeback in the third quarter, eventually taking the lead late in the fourth. The Lakers, facing a potential defeat, rallied to force overtime.

Reaves’ Remarkable Play to Force Overtime

Austin Reaves played a pivotal role in sending the game to overtime with a remarkable intentional missed free throw. Fouled with 5.2 seconds remaining, Reaves made the first free throw, intentionally missed the second, recovered the rebound, and hit a floater to tie the game. Dončić later joked about the play, noting a miscommunication with a teammate, saying, “JJ told me to tell AR to miss right. So he missed left. So it was a good play. That’s exceptionally hard to do.”

Dončić Delivers in Overtime

Overtime was a tense affair, with both teams trading baskets. After Nikola Jokić tied the game with 15 seconds left, the Lakers turned to Dončić, who delivered with his signature step-back jumper, securing the win for Los Angeles.

Dončić’s Stellar Performance

Dončić finished the game with an impressive stat line of 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists, recording his eighth triple-double of the season. Austin Reaves led all scorers with 32 points.

Playoff Implications

The Lakers’ victory has significant implications for the Western Conference standings. Prior to the game, the teams between second and sixth seed were separated by half a game. The win elevates the Lakers to third place in the West, while the Nuggets fall to sixth. More importantly, the Lakers now hold the season series tiebreaker over the Nuggets (2-1), which could prove decisive if the teams finish with identical records.

As Dončić stated, “A lot of legends played here. They leave a lot behind with the Lakers. So obviously I did [envision this when I was traded here] obviously we’re still in the regular season, but that was a little bit of that feeling today for sure.”

Looking Ahead

With the regular season winding down, every game carries increased weight. The Lakers, now on a five-game winning streak and boasting a record of 42-25, appear to be peaking at the right time. The Nuggets, at 41-27, will need to regroup as they navigate a crowded Western Conference landscape.