James had 26 points and nine assists while checking off his latest milestone, but the Lakers couldn´t get their third straight win. Rui Hachimura had 23 points, and Anthony Davis added 17 points and 11 rebounds as all five Los Angeles starters had at least 17 points.

James spun around Porter and drove the lane to hit a layup with 10:39 left in the second quarter to reach 40,000 points as he tries to put the career scoring record out of reach.

“Being the first player to do something, it´s pretty cool in this league, just knowing the history, the greats that´s come through the league and then you see some of the greats on the floor tonight, it was great to compete,” James said. “But for me, the main thing, as always, is to win, and I hated that it had to happen in a defeat.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) scores as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1), defends, becoming the first NBA player to reach 40,000 points in a career, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

James received a standing ovation at the next timeout, while coach Darvin Ham gave him a congratulatory pat on the chest as he came to the sideline. There was an in-arena video presentation, which was preceded and followed by James raising the ball over his head to the delight of fans, many of whom were wearing his Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat or St. Vincent-St. Mary High School jerseys.

“Man, you look at a lot of great players that have played this game, and no one was even close to 40,” Davis said. “Obviously, it’s a great moment, obviously it would be better if we get the win.”

The two teams were essentially even through the first 44 minutes before Denver used the one-two punch of Jokic and Murray, with spacing and shot-making around them, to excel in crunch time.

“I think we got a lot of guys who feel comfortable under pressure,” Porter said. “You got Nikola, the best player in the world. You know, Jamal with the ball in his hands a lot. And then you got shooters who are ready to knock down shots under pressure time, so just a lot of guys that are comfortable in those situations.”

The Nuggets swept the three-game season series, leaving James to admit “they have our number.

“It’s always kind of the fourth quarter, the last six minutes or the last few minutes of the game,” he said. “They make plays, we don’t make plays, and that can be frustrating.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James acknowledges fans after scoring to become the first NBA player to reach 40,000 points in a career during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center, and forward Rui Hachimura defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) embrace after an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, left, and guard Austin Reaves defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles.