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Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic make NBA history in Lakers-Nuggets matchup
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic. William Liang-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic make NBA history in Lakers-Nuggets matchup

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in overtime on Saturday, and Austin Reaves made sure it happened. Late in regulation with the Lakers down three, Reaves stepped to the line for a pair of free throws.

He drained the first, then did something most players wouldn't even think about. He missed the second one on purpose, aiming for the front left part of the rim.

The ball bounced right back to him, and Reaves knocked down a floater from nine feet away with just under two seconds left to tie the game.

Wild Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic stat line surfaces

The individual performances were worth watching too. Luka Doncic finished with 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, logging his eighth triple-double of the season. Nikola Jokic wasn't far behind with 24 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists.

According to OptaStats, the two combined for at least 50 points, 25 rebounds, 25 assists, 10 stocks (steals plus blocks) and five made threes.

It is the first time two players have hit those combined numbers in a single NBA game.

The win moved the Lakers into third place in the Western Conference. They are finally healthy again, and it is paying off.

Los Angeles has won five straight and is building momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Denver's stuck in sixth and has lost three of its last five. The Nuggets cannot seem to find the same rhythm right now.

Yagya Bhargava

Yagya Bhargava began his professional journey as a chef, but his passion for sports eventually led him into sports journalism. He started writing in 2022 and has since published more than 5,000 articles covering the NFL and NBA. Along the way, he’s worked with outlets like The Cold Wire, Sportskeeda, The SportsRush, and The Big Lead

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