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Lakers vs. Nuggets final score, results: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray shine in Denver's Game 3 win

Jordan Greer

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Lakers vs. Nuggets final score, results: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray shine in Denver's Game 3 win image

The Nuggets' stars didn't do their damage at the same time against the Lakers on Saturday night, but their combined effort propelled Denver to a Game 3 win and 3-0 series lead.

Jamal Murray exploded for 30 points in the first half, finishing with 37 points on 15-of-29 shooting in the 119-108 victory. Nikola Jokic struggled through the first three quarters of Game 3, but he threw the knockout blow, scoring 15 of his 24 points in the final frame.

"It's a team effort. We're a free-flowing team," Murray told ESPN's Lisa Salters. "Sometimes it may not be your night or your quarter, but if you stay with it, do the right things on the court, the ball will find energy and come back to you."

Anthony Davis had 28 points and 18 rebounds, and LeBron James totaled 23 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds in the loss. Los Angeles will now attempt to become the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 deficit.

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Game 3 of Lakers vs. Nuggets. Check out all of the action you may have missed right here.

MORE: How Nikola Jokic is outsmarting the Lakers

Lakers vs. Nuggets score

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Lakers 20 35 27 26 108
Nuggets 32 26 26 35 119

Lakers vs. Nuggets live score, updates, highlights from Game 3

(All times Eastern)

Final: Nuggets 119, Lakers 108

11:05 p.m. ET — What a performance by the Nuggets. They are one win away from the NBA Finals.

10:50 p.m. ET — The Nuggets hit the Lakers with a 9-0 run. Uh oh. Los Angeles is in the danger zone.

10:45 p.m. ET — Nikola Jokic puts Rui Hachimura in the spin cycle. What a nice move and reverse layup.

10:35 p.m. ET — Rui Hachimura has been terrific for the Lakers throughout their playoff run.

End of third quarter: Nuggets 84, Lakers 82

10:30 p.m. ET — LeBron James drills back-to-back 3-pointers near the end of the third quarter, but the Nuggets hold a two-point lead heading into the final frame.

10:20 p.m. ET — Austin Reaves comes off the pick-and-roll... swish. Tie game.

10:15 p.m. ET — A huge call here. Nikola Jokic picks up his fourth foul. Michael Malone uses his challenge, but it is unsuccessful.

10:10 p.m. ET — The Nuggets push their lead to nine early in the third quarter, but the Lakers then chop it down to three. Back and forth we go.

Halftime: Nuggets 58, Lakers 55

9:45 p.m. ET — Jamal Murray had 30 points in the first half, but LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers stormed back to cut the deficit to three points. 

9:40 p.m. ET — Scott Foster, who is serving as the crew chief for Game 3, is bleeding from his mouth after bumping into LeBron James in transition. Ouch.

9:30 p.m. ET — JAMAL MURRAY. OH MY. This guy is unstoppable.

9:25 p.m. ET — Austin Reaves is giving the Lakers a nice boost on the offensive end.

9:20 p.m. ET — And now Nikola Jokic has two fouls. There are still nine minutes left in the first half. How will each coach handle early foul trouble?

9:15 p.m. ET — Anthony Davis picks up his second foul after knocking down Jeff Green. (Green certainly sold the contact.) Darvin Ham is leaving him on the floor.

End of first quarter: Nuggets 32, Lakers 20

9:10 p.m. ET — Jamal Murray is on fire. He racked up 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the first quarter.

9 p.m. ET — The Nuggets have jumped out to a double-digit lead. The Lakers are playing with no energy right now.

8:50 p.m. ET — Jamal Murray is picking up right where he left off. He already has 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting.

8:40 p.m. ET — LeBron James is ready to go. Game 3 is almost here...

8:30 p.m. ET — Mo Bamba won't play in Game 3, but ESPN's Adrian Wojarowski reports that the Lakers center could rejoin the rotation very soon.

8:15 p.m. ET — No surprises from Darvin Ham and Michael Malone. We've got the same starters for both teams.

8:05 p.m. ET — LeBron James and Anthony Davis are rocking matching outfits ahead of Game 3. What does this mean for the Lakers? (Nothing, but they look nice!)

7:55 p.m. ET — DeAndre Jordan enjoys watching Nikola Jokic work on his post moves.

What channel is Lakers vs. Nuggets on?

  • Date: Saturday, May 20
  • TV channel: ABC
  • Live streaming: Sling TV

Lakers vs. Nuggets will air on ABC. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV, which is now offering $10 off your first month! Stream the sports you love starting at just $30 in your first month with Sling Orange to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

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What time is Lakers vs. Nuggets tonight?

  • Date: Saturday, May 20
  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. PT

Lakers vs. Nuggets will tip off around 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 20. The game will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Lakers vs. Nuggets odds

Los Angeles is a 5.5-point favorite heading into Game 3.

  Nuggets Lakers
Spread +5.5 -5.5
Moneyline +195 -250

For the full market, check out BetMGM.

Lakers vs. Nuggets schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the 2023 Western Conference Finals:

Date Game Time (ET) TV channel
May 16 Nuggets 132, Lakers 126 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 18 Nuggets 108, Lakers 103 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 20 Nuggets 119, Lakers 108 8:30 p.m. ABC
May 22 Game 4 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 24 Game 5* 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 26 Game 6* 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 28 Game 7* 8:30 p.m. ESPN

*If necessary

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.