Key Takeaways:
- LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career field goals in NBA history during the Lakers’ 120-113 defeat to the Nuggets
- Nikola Jokic logged his 23rd triple-double of the season, tallying 28 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists for Denver
- Jamal Murray and Jokic each posted 28 points, helping the Nuggets maintain their Western Conference lead over Los Angeles
Historic Achievement in Denver
LeBron James made NBA history on Thursday night in Denver, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time record for career field goals during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-113 loss to the Nuggets. James’ record-setting basket – the 15,838th of his 23-year career – arrived in the first quarter, highlighting a night marked by both achievement and adversity for the Lakers star.
King. The most field goals made in NBA regular season HISTORY 👑 pic.twitter.com/KmyOW9msll
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 6, 2026
Thrilling Moments, but Nuggets Prevail
Despite injuring his left elbow after a late layup that brought the Lakers within 110-106 with four minutes remaining, James returned to the court at 2:05 left in regulation, with Los Angeles down by a single point. However, the Lakers failed to overturn the deficit as Denver secured a critical wire-to-wire victory at Ball Arena.
James concluded the contest with 16 points, featuring several remarkable plays including a dazzling corkscrew reverse fastbreak layup and a challenging 18-foot turnaround jumper that reduced the halftime deficit to 64-54. Additionally, James orchestrated three consecutive eye-catching assists during the Lakers’ late rally, though the comeback ultimately fell short.
Nuggets Stay Ahead Amid Injuries
Nikola Jokic recorded his 23rd triple-double of the season, registering 28 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists, despite committing nine turnovers. Jamal Murray also reached 28 points, with 20 coming in the first half, enabling the Nuggets (39-24) to hold their ground in the packed Western Conference standings and stave off the charging Lakers (37-25). Denver established an early 16-3 advantage and led by as many as 15, though turnovers allowed Los Angeles to remain in contention throughout the night.
The Nuggets coped with several absences, as Aaron Gordon, still sidelined following a pulled hamstring on January 23, took part in pre-game drills but did not feature, remaining in street clothes as he awaits a possible return on Friday night against the Knicks. Peyton Watson, another defensive anchor, also missed out due to a hamstring issue, while forwards Cam Johnson (sprained right ankle) and Spencer Jones (strained right shoulder) were unavailable.
Lakers’ Injury Woes and Key Developments
On the opposing side, Los Angeles were dealt a blow when centre Deandre Ayton departed in the first half due to a knee injury and did not return. Luka Doncic contributed 27 points for the Lakers, and picked up his 15th technical foul of the campaign, meaning he now faces an automatic one-game suspension with his next infraction.
| Team | Points | Top Scorers | Notable Performances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | 120 | Jamal Murray (28), Nikola Jokic (28) | Jokic: 28 pts, 12 reb, 13 ast (23rd triple-double) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 113 | Luka Doncic (27), LeBron James (16) | James breaks NBA career field goals record |
What’s Next
- Lakers will host Indiana on Friday night
- Nuggets are set to play at home against New York on Friday night
