Los Angeles (AP) — LeBron James scored 40,000 points, but Nikola Jokic added 35 points and 10 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets rallied to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 124-114 on Saturday night.
With 3:49 remaining, Aaron Gordon scored a 3-pointer to put Denver back ahead, and the Nuggets went on a 19-6 run to secure their sixth consecutive victory. Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 points by making all ten of his shots, Jamal Murray had 24 points and 11 assists, and Gordon had 18 points.
“I don’t think it matters who we’re playing and what night it is, we’re coming to win, and we’re taking care of business the way we’re supposed to,” Justin Holiday, who scored the winning goal, said.
James had 26 points and nine assists while reaching his newest milestone, but the Lakers were unable to win their third consecutive game. All five Los Angeles starters scored at least 17 points, including Rui Hachimura with 23 points and Anthony Davis with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
James whirled around Porter and drove the lane for a layup with 10:39 left in the second quarter, bringing his total to 40,000 points as he attempts to break the career scoring record.
“Being the first player to do something, it’s pretty cool in this league, just knowing the history, the greats that’s come through the league and then you see some of the greats on the floor tonight, it was great to compete,” he added. “But for me, the main thing, as always, is to win, and I hated that it had to happen in a defeat.”
At the next timeout, James received a standing ovation, and coach Darvin Ham patted him on the chest as he approached the sideline. There was an in-arena visual show, which was preceded and followed by James raising the ball above his head to the joy of supporters, many of whom were wearing his Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers
“Man, you look at a lot of great players that have played this game, and no one was even close to 40,” Davis told ESPN. “Obviously, it’s a great moment, obviously it would be better if we get the win.”
The two teams were essentially even for the opening 44 minutes before Denver’s one-two punch of Jokic and Murray, combined with spacing and shot-making around them, helped them shine in crunch time.
“I think we got a lot of guys who feel comfortable under pressure,” Porter told reporters. “You have Nikola, the best player in the world. Jamal often has the ball in his hands. And then you have shooters who are ready to knock down shots under pressure, so just a lot.
The Nuggets swept the three-game season series, prompting James to confess, “They have our number.”
“It’s always kind of the fourth quarter, the last six minutes or the last few minutes of the game,” he told reporters. “They make plays, we don’t make plays, and that can be frustrating.”
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