Sombor Survival: Jokic’s yo-yo game enough for Nuggets to beat LA

The Nuggets never pulled away, going back-and-forth with the Lakers, yet they won it in wire-to-wire fashion 120-113 behind a Nikola Jokic triple-double

BY JAKE SHAPIRO

Mar 6, 2026, 12:26 AM

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DENVER — The Denver Nuggets never pulled away, going back-and-forth with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, yet they won it in wire-to-wire fashion 120-113 behind a Nikola Jokic triple-double.

The three-time MVP’s 23rd triple-double of the year, his 208th career triple-double—and 82nd completed before the fourth quarter—was nearly undone by his season-high nine turnovers, as part of the Nuggets’ 18 turnovers that the Lakers capitalized on for 26 points, 22 of which were on the fast break. The Lakers running, plus Luka Doncic’s big night of 27 points with 11 rebounds, seven assists and four steals, got Denver’s lead all the way down to one late before Jokic and Julian Strawther hit some big shots to score Denver a second straight clutch win.

“The issue was a lot of turnovers,” coach David Adelman said. “They weren’t — you’d rather throw the ball in the stands. What we did gave them run outs.”

Jokic finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists, matching Jamal Murray’s 28 points.

The Nuggets started scorching hot. Murray knocked down two triples en route to nine points as Denver opened on an 11-0 run. But Murray picked up two quick fouls, and Jokic collected two of his own in the opening frame. Adelman challenged one of Jokic’s fouls and lost, which nearly came back to haunt them.

Los Angeles responded to the Nuggets’ quick start with a 12-0 run in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to three. Every time Denver extended, the Lakers punched right back. The teams went into halftime with the Nuggets ahead by ten.

The third quarter unraveled in ugly fashion. With about a minute remaining, Doncic appeared to step out of bounds, but Denver had no challenge available. He buried a 3-pointer a moment later. On the ensuing possession, Zeke Nnaji and Jokic collided on what should have been an easy rebound, and Doncic drilled another triple. That handed Los Angeles six free points to close the period.

But a 9-2 Denver run to open the fourth pushed the lead to 14. It looked like time to coast — until Jokic checked in and threw a careless turnover, sparking a 9-1 Lakers run.

“We didn’t force it,” Jokic said. “I think that’s the best way. Especially in the first half, I think we shared. First quarter was good. Second, we kind of forced it. Third quarter was good. I just need to read the situation better when I catch the ball and try to make a better pass or better read.”

The Lakers entered the night with the NBA’s best clutch-time net rating at plus-23.5. The Nuggets ranked fourth-worst at minus-12.6. And that’s where the game predictably headed. Austin Reaves had a free throw to tie, but the Lakers never got closer than 112-111.

Jokic steadied himself. He scored eight points in the final seven minutes, including a driving hook with 1:45 left that pushed the lead to three. After grabbing a key defensive rebound, he buried a floater with 22.3 seconds remaining to extend the margin to five and seal it.

“Just be an outlet, find a window, make sure that I’m available,” Strawther said of playing off Jokic. “And if he needs to pass, I’ll be there, and if not, he’ll get the bucket.”

Strawther delivered when Jokic found him. The third-year guard scored 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including a corner 3-pointer with 5:36 left that pushed Denver’s lead back to six after the Lakers had trimmed it to three.

“Jokic had bodies on him all game,” Strawther said. “So I knew eventually that corner shot would be there, and I’m just being right place, right time, and my job is to knock it down.”

Murray praised Strawther’s readiness despite fluctuating minutes all season.

“It’s tough to be in that position and have a rhythm for your team,” Murray said. “Kudos to him, just staying ready, staying mentally sharp. He’s always in the gym, he’s always in the PD sessions. He’s always working.”

Nnaji started at power forward and logged nearly 24 minutes defending LeBron James, who made history on the night by setting the NBA’s career record for field goals made. He tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the record with a signature alley-oop then surpassed him moments later.

James scored 16, leaving a bit early after bashing his elbow. Deandre Ayton also left the game for L.A. with a knee issue.

The Nuggets did well enough on those Lakers and Christian Braun drew the Doncic assignment. He held the star to 13 misses while playing a team-high 39:53 and finishing with 15 points and five rebounds.

“Can’t quite explode how I want to explode, but I’ve kind of just adapted,” Braun said, talking about coming back from his second stint on the injury report this season with an ankle injury.

Braun is a key part of a Nuggets defense that has quietly made strides recently despite the team’s overall struggles. Adelman said the half-court defense has improved markedly since the All-Star break.

“The two outliers, to me, were more schedule things where we were just exhausted — the Golden State game and obviously in Utah,” Adelman said. “Besides that, I liked our overall effort. Our communication has been better, and that has to continue if we’re going to try to put ourselves in the best place possible going into that tournament.”

What’s next for the Nuggets?

Thursday marked the first of a brutal seven-game stretch for Denver. The Nuggets’ strength of schedule based on opponents’ current records is .646. The last time Denver faced a seven-game stretch this difficult at least 62 games into a season was March 24 to April 6, 2014. The hard games comes fast and furious, too. They’re back home again Friday, hosting the New York Knicks. Aaron Gordon is expected to make his return to Denver’s lineup after missing six weeks with his second right hamstring injury of the season. After a weekend off, the crew travels back to Oklahoma City, where they lost in overtime last week.