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Lakers' Overtime Thrill: Controversial Call Fuels Victory Over Nuggets

3/16/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in overtime on March 14, 2026.
Austin Reaves (Lakers) intentionally missed a free throw with 5.2 seconds left and scored the tying floater after recovering the rebound.
The play followed a foul on Nuggets forward Spencer Jones that the NBA later deemed incorrect.
The Lakers moved to 42-25 and secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference; Nuggets fell to 41-27.

History

Historical Context

The 1980 NBA Finals marked a turning point in basketball, with the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2. Magic Johnson's remarkable performance, including 42 points in Game 6, helped elevate the NBA's popularity, resulting in a 30% increase in television ratings. This series laid the groundwork for the Lakers' "Showtime" era and intensified their rivalry with the 76ers.

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Story summary

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in overtime on March 14, 2026.
Austin Reaves (Lakers) intentionally missed a free throw with 5.2 seconds left and scored the tying floater after recovering the rebound.
The play followed a foul on Nuggets forward Spencer Jones that the NBA later deemed incorrect.
The Lakers moved to 42-25 and secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference; Nuggets fell to 41-27.

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