James, who has now made 15,838 career field goals over 23 seasons, scored 16 points and delivered a few highlight-reel plays, including a corkscrew reverse fastbreak layup and an off-balance, 18-foot turnaround jumper in the first half. He also contributed three consecutive impressive assists in the fourth quarter during a late Lakers comeback attempt.
However, James sustained a left elbow injury on a layup that brought Los Angeles within 110-106 with four minutes remaining. He left the game but returned with just over two minutes left, with the Lakers still trailing, and the team never regained the lead.
Nikola Jokic recorded his 23rd triple-double of the season, finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists despite nine turnovers, helping the Nuggets (39-24) maintain an edge over the surging Lakers (37-25) in the tight Western Conference standings.
Denver overcame a short-handed roster, with key contributors Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, Cam Johnson, and Spencer Jones unavailable due to injuries. Murray’s 20 first-half points helped the Nuggets maintain control despite missing players, while the Lakers also lost center Deandre Ayton to a first-half knee injury.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic contributed 27 points for the Lakers but picked up his 15th technical foul of the season, putting him one more away from an automatic one-game suspension.
The teams continue their schedules Friday night, with the Lakers hosting the Indiana Pacers and the Nuggets welcoming the New York Knicks.