Luka Dončić delivered a clutch performance to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a thrilling overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets, while Russell Westbrook showcased a vintage all-around game, notching his 209th career triple-double as the Sacramento Kings upset the LA Clippers. These storylines highlighted a compelling night of NBA action on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Magical Performance from Dončić Secures Lakers Victory
The marquee matchup of the night unfolded at the Crypto.com Arena, where the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in a hard-fought contest that required an extra period. The hero of the hour was undoubtedly Luka Dončić, who hit a fall-away jumper at the buzzer to seal the win, capping off a dominant performance of 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. Austin Reaves provided crucial support, leading all scorers with 32 points in 46 minutes of play.
Despite a stellar performance from Nikola Jokić, who recorded another impressive triple-double with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 14 assists, and a strong showing from Aaron Gordon with 27 points, the Nuggets ultimately fell short. A particularly rough shooting night for Jamal Murray, who went 1-for-14 from the field and finished with just 5 points, proved to be a significant factor in Denver’s defeat.
Westbrook Rolls Back the Years, Clippers Stunned by Kings
In a surprising result, a resurgent Russell Westbrook led the Sacramento Kings to a 118-109 victory on the road against the LA Clippers. Westbrook delivered a classic performance, recording 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, complemented by strong contributions from DeMar DeRozan (27 points) and Precious Achiuwa (25 points). However, the Clippers’ night took a turn for the worse in the fourth quarter when Kawhi Leonard was forced to leave the game with a left ankle sprain.
Without their star player, the Clippers mounted a late comeback, narrowing the deficit to three points (103-100) thanks to Bennedict Mathurin (24 points) and Darius Garland (25 points). But the Kings closed out the game with a 15-9 run to secure the win.
Banchero Shines in Orlando, Celtics Dominate in Washington
In a Florida derby, the Orlando Magic defeated the Miami Heat 121-117. Orlando controlled much of the game, building a lead of as many as 22 points, fueled by an outstanding performance from Paolo Banchero, who finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Miami mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback, led by Jaime Jaquez Jr. (22 points) and 20 points apiece from Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell. However, Banchero’s clutch free throws down the stretch sealed the victory for the Magic.
In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics overcame the Washington Wizards 111-100. The Celtics’ dominant interior play, spearheaded by Neemias Queta’s impressive performance of 24 points and 10 rebounds, proved to be the key to their success. Jayson Tatum similarly contributed significantly with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Despite 22 points from Tristan Vukcevic, the Wizards suffered their eleventh consecutive loss.
Washington Wizards 100 – 111 Boston Celtics
WAS: T. Vukcevic 22 PTS,3 REB,1 AST; J. Watkins 15 PTS,6 REB,2 AST; B. Coulibaly 12 PTS,4 REB,1 AST; J. Hardy 12 PTS,3 REB,1 AST; T. Young 11 PTS,4 REB,6 AST; J. Champagnie 10 PTS,4 REB,1 AST; T. Johnson 7 PTS,1 REB,2 AST; W. Riley 5 PTS,5 REB,3 AST; A. Sarr 4 PTS,5 REB,0 AST; B. Carrington 2 PTS,3 REB,8 AST; A. Gill 0 PTS,0 REB,1 AST; S. Cooper 0 PTS,0 REB,2 AST
BOS: N. Queta 24 PTS,10 REB,3 AST; J. Tatum 20 PTS,14 REB,7 AST; J. Brown 16 PTS,4 REB,3 AST; D. White 15 PTS,6 REB,5 AST; L. Garza 15 PTS,1 REB,3 AST; S. Hauser 12 PTS,6 REB,2 AST; P. Pritchard 4 PTS,4 REB,4 AST; B. Scheierman 3 PTS,9 REB,2 AST; A. Williams 2 PTS,1 REB,0 AST; R. Harper Jr. 0 PTS,0 REB,0 AST; M. Shulga 0 PTS,0 REB,0 AST; H. Gonzalez 0 PTS,0 REB,0 AST; J. Tonje DNP; J. Walsh DNP
Orlando Magic 121 – 117 Miami Heat
ORL: P. Banchero 27 PTS,8 REB,7 AST; D. Bane 21 PTS,4 REB,4 AST; W. Carter Jr. 15 PTS,8 REB,2 AST; J. Suggs 14 PTS,5 REB,6 AST; J. Cain 12 PTS,7 REB,0 AST; T. Da Silva 11 PTS,8 REB,2 AST; M. Wagner 7 PTS,4 REB,0 AST; N. Penda 7 PTS,3 REB,2 AST; J. Carter 7 PTS,2 REB,3 AST; G. Bitadze DNP; J. Howard DNP; J. Richardson DNP
MIA: J. Jaquez Jr. 22 PTS,2 REB,7 AST; B. Adebayo 20 PTS,7 REB,1 AST; N. Powell 20 PTS,1 REB,3 AST; P. Larsson 15 PTS,3 REB,3 AST; D. Mitchell 14 PTS,2 REB,4 AST; K. Ware 13 PTS,10 REB,1 AST; T. Herro 10 PTS,6 REB,5 AST; K. Jakucionis 3 PTS,0 REB,1 AST; M. Gardner 0 PTS,1 REB,0 AST; S. Fontecchio DNP; K. Johnson DNP; V. Goldin DNP; D. Smith DNP; T. Keels DNP; J. Young DNP
Denver Nuggets 125 – 127 Los Angeles Lakers
DEN: A. Gordon 27 PTS,5 REB,2 AST; N. Jokic 24 PTS,16 REB,14 AST; T. Hardaway Jr. 20 PTS,1 REB,3 AST; C. Johnson 18 PTS,4 REB,3 AST; B. Brown 12 PTS,4 REB,2 AST; C. Braun 12 PTS,1 REB,3 AST; S. Jones 5 PTS,3 REB,0 AST; J. Murray 5 PTS,6 REB,6 AST; J. Valanciunas 2 PTS,1 REB,0 AST; Z. Nnaji DNP; D. Roddy DNP; T. Jones DNP; J. Pickett DNP; J. Strawther DNP
LAL: A. Reaves 32 PTS,7 REB,6 AST; L. Doncic 30 PTS,11 REB,13 AST; M. Smart 21 PTS,3 REB,2 AST; L. James 17 PTS,6 REB,5 AST; D. Ayton 9 PTS,9 REB,2 AST; R. Hachimura 6 PTS,4 REB,0 AST; J. Hayes 5 PTS,4 REB,0 AST; J. LaRavia 4 PTS,1 REB,1 AST; L. Kennard 3 PTS,1 REB,2 AST; J. Vanderbilt DNP; D. Timme DNP; D. Knecht DNP; A. Thiero DNP; K. Bufkin DNP; B. James DNP
Sacramento Kings 118 – 109 LA Clippers
SAC: D. DeRozan 27 PTS,0 REB,7 AST; P. Achiuwa 25 PTS,13 REB,1 AST; M. Raynaud 23 PTS,5 REB,2 AST; D. Plowden 15 PTS,5 REB,2 AST; R. Westbrook 12 PTS,12 REB,10 AST; N. Clifford 11 PTS,4 REB,4 AST; D. McDermott 3 PTS,0 REB,0 AST; D. Eubanks 2 PTS,3 REB,2 AST; D. Cardwell 0 PTS,6 REB,1 AST; K. Hayes 0 PTS,0 REB,0 AST; M. Monk DNP; D. Carter DNP
LAC: K. Leonard 31 PTS,6 REB,0 AST; D. Garland 25 PTS,3 REB,7 AST; B. Mathurin 24 PTS,6 REB,1 AST; J. Collins 10 PTS,3 REB,0 AST; I. Jackson 6 PTS,8 REB,4 AST; J. Miller 6 PTS,0 REB,2 AST; K. Dunn 5 PTS,6 REB,2 AST; D. Jones Jr. 2 PTS,3 REB,1 AST; B. Lopez 0 PTS,0 REB,2 AST; T. Washington Jr. 0 PTS,0 REB,0 AST; N. Omier DNP; B. Bogdanovic DNP; K. Sanders DNP; C. Christie DNP
The Lakers will look to continue their momentum when they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, March 4th. The Kings, meanwhile, will aim to build on their upset victory as they take on the Houston Rockets on the same night.
What did you think of Dončić’s game-winner and Westbrook’s impressive triple-double? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
