Game ID: 22500617
Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 37 34 17 19 107LAL 28 29 29 29 115
DEN vs LAL ScoutingDEN vs LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 1/13 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 2 since 1/09, returns tonight: 37 min (105% of 36)
OUT Jokić missed 7 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 10 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 6 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Braun back 1/04 after 23, 26 min since (83% of 32)
BACK Gordon back 1/04 after 19, 25 min since (90% of 28)
NEW Watson 30 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 25 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/14 · back-to-backOUT Jokić missed 8 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Braun missed 2 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 11 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 7 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Murray back 1/13 after 2, 37 min since (105% of 36)
NEW Watson 30 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 26 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/17 · 2 days' restOUT Jokić missed 9 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Braun missed 3 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 12 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 2 since 1/13, returns tonight: 6 min (39% of 15)
OUT Valančiūnas missed 8 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Murray back 1/13 after 2, 38 min since (106% of 36)
NEW Watson 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 23 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/18 · back-to-backOUT Jokić missed 10 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Braun missed 4 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 13 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 9 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Murray back 1/13 after 2, 38 min since (107% of 36)
BACK Strawther back 1/17 after 2, 6 min since (39% of 15)
NEW Watson 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Hardaway Jr. 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 21 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/20 · 1 day's restOUT Jokić missed 11 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Braun missed 5 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 14 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 10 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Murray back 1/13 after 2, 35 min since (98% of 36)
BACK Strawther back 1/17 after 2, 13 min since (86% of 15)
NEW Watson 30 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Jones 22 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 21 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/22 · 1 day's restOUT Jokić missed 12 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Braun missed 6 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 15 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 11 since 1/02, returns tonight: 22 min (168% of 13)
BACK Murray back 1/13 after 2, 35 min since (99% of 36)
BACK Strawther back 1/17 after 2, 13 min since (86% of 15)
NEW Jones 22 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 19 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/23 · back-to-backOUT Jokić missed 13 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Braun missed 7 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 16 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 2 since 1/20, returns tonight: 27 min (179% of 15)
BACK Valančiūnas back 1/22 after 11, 22 min since (168% of 13)
NEW Jones 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 17 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/27 · 3 days' restOUT Jokić missed 14 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Braun missed 8 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 17 since 12/25, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 1/17 after 2, 17 min since (117% of 15)
BACK Valančiūnas back 1/22 after 11, 22 min since (168% of 13)
NEW Watson 30 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Jones 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 21 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Jokić missed 15 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Braun missed 9 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 18 since 12/25, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 1/23 after 2, 19 min since (131% of 15)
BACK Valančiūnas back 1/22 after 11, 26 min since (203% of 13)
NEW Watson 30 to 36 min over the last 4
NEW Jones 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 12 to 21 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/13 · back-to-backOUT Reaves missed 8 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 7 since 12/30, returns tonight: 18 min (62% of 30)
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 9, 17 min since (89% of 19)
BACK Kleber back 1/07 after 3, 6 min since (57% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 17 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/15 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 9 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 18 min since (62% of 30)
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 9, 16 min since (85% of 19)
BACK Kleber back 1/07 after 3, 6 min since (57% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 17 to 23 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 10 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 1/13, returns tonight: 21 min (201% of 10)
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 18 min since (60% of 30)
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 9, 16 min since (84% of 19)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 35 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/18 · back-to-backOUT Reaves missed 11 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 3 since 1/13, returns tonight: 13 min (72% of 18)
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 18 min since (62% of 30)
BACK Kleber back 1/17 after 2, 21 min since (201% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/20 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 12 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 19 min since (64% of 30)
BACK Hayes back 1/18 after 3, 13 min since (72% of 18)
BACK Kleber back 1/17 after 2, 21 min since (201% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 30 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/22 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 13 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 1/18, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 21 min since (70% of 30)
BACK Hayes back 1/18 after 3, 18 min since (100% of 18)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/24 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 14 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 2 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 3 since 1/18, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 1/18 after 3, 18 min since (97% of 18)
LAL availability going into 1/26 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 15 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 3 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 4 since 1/18, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 1/18 after 3, 17 min since (93% of 18)
LAL availability going into 1/28 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 16 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 4 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 5 since 1/18, returns tonight: 8 min (82% of 10)
BACK Hayes back 1/18 after 3, 18 min since (100% of 18)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murray at 32 and Watson at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Jokić (11 straight), Braun (5 straight), Johnson (14 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and James at 25 a game. Without Reaves (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been minus-1 a night and Denver minus-12 and the defense, Denver allowing 111 a night to the Lakers' 120. Call it Denver 118, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/13 @ NOP 122-116 — DEN notes
DEN won 122-116. DEN shot 49% (41 of 84) to NOP's 45%, 14 of 35 from three. DEN turned it over 7 times to NOP's 15. The glass went 32-51 against them. Murray led with 35 (11 of 19, 5 of 8 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Watson added 31, Hardaway Jr. 18. The hinge was Q4, 33-24: DEN came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 6. DEN trailed 60-65 at the half and won the second half 62-51. Watson was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
1/14 @ DAL 118-109 — DEN notes
DEN won 118-109. DEN shot 49% (42 of 85) to DAL's 44%, 16 of 38 from three, and got to the line 22 times to DAL's 33. Murray led with 33 (13 of 24, 2 of 6 from three); Gordon added 22, Watson 18. The hinge was Q2, 34-23: a lead of 6 became 17, and the lead reached 23.
1/17 vs WAS 121-115 — DEN notes
DEN won 121-115. DEN shot 53% (45 of 85) to WAS's 46%, 14 of 35 from three, and got to the line 23 times to WAS's 29. The glass went 38-48 against them. Murray led with 42 (15 of 24, 5 of 8 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Hardaway Jr. added 30, Watson 21. The hinge was Q4, 38-29: DEN came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 6. DEN trailed 62-63 at the half and won the second half 59-52. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
1/18 vs CHA 87-110 — DEN notes
DEN lost 87-110. DEN shot 41% (32 of 79) to CHA's 49%, 8 of 38 from three. The glass went 29-52 against them. Murray led with 16 (7 of 12); Strawther added 15, Pickett 12. Q4 was theirs, 30-23, the deficit cut from 30 to 23, but the other 3 periods went 87-57 against them. Watson's -29 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/20 vs LAL 107-115 — DEN notes
DEN lost 107-115. DEN shot 45% (39 of 87) to LAL's 51%, 15 of 37 from three, and got to the line 19 times to LAL's 32. DEN turned it over 5 times to LAL's 12. The glass went 31-51 against them. Murray led with 28 (10 of 21, 4 of 8 from three); Watson added 18, Gordon 18. Q1 was theirs, 37-28, but the other 3 periods went 87-70 against them. They led by as many as 16. Brown's -21 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/22 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; George at 18 and Sarr at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Coulibaly (3 straight), Gill (2 straight), Cooper (24 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murray at 31 and Watson at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 16 a night. Without Jokić (12 straight), Braun (6 straight), Johnson (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Washington has been plus-0 a night and Denver minus-16 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 15 times a game to Denver's 8. Call it Denver 117, Washington 113, Washington keeping it close.
1/23 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gia. Antetokounmpo at 23 and Portis at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Prince (35 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murray at 29 and Watson at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Jokić (13 straight), Braun (7 straight), Johnson (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 109 a night to Milwaukee's 120 and the turnovers, Milwaukee giving it away 14 times a game to Denver's 9. Call it Denver 114, Milwaukee 112, Milwaukee keeping it close.
1/27 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 107, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murray at 28 and Watson at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Jokić (14 straight), Braun (8 straight), Johnson (17 straight). 3 days' rest. Detroit comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 102, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Cunningham at 18 and Duren at 18 a game. Without LeVert (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Detroit wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-2 a night and Denver minus-11 and the turnovers, Detroit giving it away 16 times a game to Denver's 9. Call it Detroit 113, Denver 110, Denver keeping it close.
1/29 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 106, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murray at 23 and Watson at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Jokić (15 straight), Braun (9 straight), Johnson (18 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 122, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 22 and Clowney at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Clowney (2 straight), Traore (2 straight), Johnson (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 106 a night to Brooklyn's 122 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 15 times a game to Denver's 9. Call it Denver 116, Brooklyn 106, Denver by 10.
1/13 vs ATL 141-116 — LAL notes
LAL won 141-116. LAL shot 58% (48 of 83) to ATL's 45%, 19 of 34 from three, and went to the line 30 times to ATL's 18 — 26 points from the stripe to their 13. LAL turned it over 14 times to ATL's 6, and ATL turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 47-32 for them. L. James led with 31 (12 of 20, 2 of 4 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Dončić added 27, LaRavia 17. The hinge was Q2, 44-30: a lead of 7 became 21, and the lead reached 32. Smart was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
1/15 vs CHA 117-135 — LAL notes
LAL lost 117-135. LAL shot 46% (43 of 93) to CHA's 54%, 14 of 38 from three, and went to the line 23 times to CHA's 16 — 17 points from the stripe to their 15. The glass went 35-50 against them. Dončić led with 39 (15 of 26, 6 of 11 from three, 3 of 7 at the line); L. James added 29, LaRavia 18. Q1 was theirs, 39-30, but the other 3 periods went 105-78 against them. They led by as many as 13. Hachimura's -17 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/17 @ POR 116-132 — LAL notes
LAL lost 116-132. LAL shot 49% (42 of 85) to POR's 52%, 13 of 31 from three, and got to the line 21 times to POR's 34. The glass went 27-42 against them. Smart led with 25 (9 of 17, 4 of 6 from three); Timme added 21, L. James 20. Q2 was theirs, 34-31, the deficit cut from 13 to 10, but the other 3 periods went 101-82 against them. Kleber's -19 in 21 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/18 vs TOR 110-93 — LAL notes
LAL won 110-93. LAL shot 48% (41 of 85) to TOR's 42%, 14 of 36 from three. LAL turned it over 15 times to TOR's 9. Dončić led with 25 (8 of 23, 5 of 12 from three); Ayton added 25, James 24. The hinge was Q4, 23-13: a lead of 7 became 17. Vanderbilt was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
1/20 @ DEN 115-107 — LAL notes
LAL won 115-107. LAL shot 51% (42 of 83) to DEN's 45%, 10 of 25 from three, and went to the line 32 times to DEN's 19 — 21 points from the stripe to their 14. LAL turned it over 12 times to DEN's 5. The glass went 51-31 for them. Dončić led with 38 (12 of 21, 3 of 9 from three, 11 of 12 at the line); James added 19, Smart 15. The hinge was Q3, 29-17: the deficit went from 14 to 2. LAL trailed 57-71 at the half and won the second half 58-36. Hayes was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
1/22 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Harden at 29 and Miller at 14 a game. Without Leonard (3 straight), Jones Jr. (9 straight), Bogdanović (13 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 43 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and James at 25 a game. Without Reaves (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 43 percent from three to the Clippers' 33 and the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-2 a night and the Clippers minus-3. Call it the Clippers 116, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/24 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 114, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 29 free throws a game; Christie at 23 and Marshall at 22 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Gafford (4 straight), Russell (6 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 34 and James at 23 a game. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Reaves (14 straight). One day's rest.
So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Dallas has been plus-7 a night and the Lakers minus-4 and the line, where Dallas takes 29 free throws a game to the Lakers' 22. Call it Dallas 119, the Lakers 114.
1/26 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 44 from three, 16 free throws a game; White at 22 and Vučević at 16 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Collins (14 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and James at 21 a game. Without Reaves (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 23 free throws a game to Chicago's 16 and the arc, Chicago at 44 percent from three to the Lakers' 39. Call it Chicago 118, the Lakers 113.
1/28 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 27 free throws a game; Mitchell at 31 and Mobley at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Hunter (2 straight), Merrill (6 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 35 and James at 21 a game. Without Reaves (16 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 40 percent from three to Cleveland's 32 and the turnovers, Cleveland giving it away 15 times a game to the Lakers' 11. Call it Cleveland 115, the Lakers 113, the Lakers keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
BB B. Brown
JM J. Murray
JP J. Pickett
PW P. Watson
SJ S. Jones
TH T. Hardaway Jr.
ZN Z. Nnaji
LALDA D. Ayton
DT D. Timme
DO Doncic
GV G. Vincent
JH J. Hayes
JL J. LaRavia
JV J. Vanderbilt
LD L. Dončić
LJ L. James
MS M. Smart
RH R. Hachimura
DEN/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Doncic has a triple-double as the Lakers rally past the short-handed Nuggets, 115-107
DENVER -- — Luka Doncic had 38 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the Denver Nuggets 115-107 on Tuesday night.
LeBron James , who was not voted an All-Star starter for the first time since his rookie season, scored 19 points for Los Angeles, which played the second half without center Deandre Ayton due to a left eye injury.
Jamal Murray scored 26 of his 28 points in the first half for Denver and added 11 assists, but shot just 1 for 5 in the second half.
With Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II sitting courtside, the short-handed Nuggets led by 16 in the third quarter despite missing four rotation players, including Nikola Jokic , who has missed the last 12 games with a hyperextended left knee.
Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson scored 18 apiece for the Nuggets.
A close game added to the budding rivalry that began in the 2023 Western Conference finals, when Denver swept the Lakers on its way to the NBA title.
It appeared the Nuggets would cruise to another win after jumping out to a 13-point lead in the first quarter and had a strong end to the second quarter.
Murray finished the first half with a 35-second flurry to give Denver a 71-57 lead. He fed Gordon for a lob dunk, assisted on Watson’s 3-pointer with 7.3 seconds left and then drained a 56-foot heave at the horn.
Murray missed both of his shots in the third quarter when Los Angeles outscored the Nuggets 29-17 to close within 88-86.
The Lakers tied it early in the fourth and took their first lead on two free throws by Doncic with 6:42 left during a 16-0 run that turned a two-point deficit into a 108-96 lead.
Up next Lakers: Head back to Los Angeles for a road game at the Clippers on Thursday night.
Nuggets: Begin a three-game road trip at Washington on Thursday night.