On Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers played the Denver Nuggets in Colorado.
The Lakers won by a score of 115-107.
Nikola Jokić missed his 12th straight game with an injury.
NBA Star LeBron James Made His Feelings Clear About Nikola Jokić
After the game, Lakers star LeBron James spoke about Jokić.
James (via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin): “It’s the utmost respect… Jokić is one of the greatest players to ever play this game.”
LeBron James speaks about approaching the Nuggets bench to embrace Nikola Jokic during a break in the game action. “It’s the utmost respect … Jokic is one of the greatest players to ever play.” He added that USA-Serbia vs Jokic in Paris is a game he’ll “never forget” pic.twitter.com/xBgYFU5WyT
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 21, 2026
Jokić is in his 11th NBA season (all with the Nuggets).
He is currently averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 60.5% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range in 32 games.
Via Real App (on December 26): “Nikola Jokic becomes the first player in NBA history to have a game with: 55+ PTS 15+ REB 15+ AST”
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As for James, he finished the loss with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while shooting 8/15 from the field and 1/1 from three-point range in 34 minutes of playing time.
Via Jovan Buha: “Final: Lakers 115, Nuggets 107 LA dominated the second half, outscoring Denver 58-36, in their best comeback win of the season. They improve to 26-16 and No. 5 in the West. Luka had a triple-double: 38/13/10. LeBron had 19/9/8. Marcus Smart had 15. Up next: at LAC on Thurs.”
Final: Lakers 115, Nuggets 107
LA dominated the second half, outscoring Denver 58-36, in their best comeback win of the season. They improve to 26-16 and No. 5 in the West. Luka had a triple-double: 38/13/10. LeBron had 19/9/8. Marcus Smart had 15.
Up next: at LAC on Thurs.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 21, 2026
With their loss to the Lakers, the Nuggets are now 29-15 in 44 games, which has them as the third seed in the Western Conference.
They will play their next game on Thursday when they visit the Washington Wizards.
On the other side, the Lakers improved to 26-16 in 42 games, which has them as the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
Following the Nuggets, they will play their next game when they visit the LA Clippers on Thursday night.
How soon we forget when the person who has brought you this far and is aging you put them out to pasture. He’s still better than a lot of these new guys that are coming up. If he doesn’t play in the All-Star games it will be very boring. I will be one less person watching the game.