Luka Doncic sank a baseline jumper with half a second remaining in overtime on Saturday to give the Los Angeles Lakers a dramatic 127-125 NBA victory over Denver for their fifth consecutive triumph.

NBA scoring leader Doncic had a triple double with 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to foil a triple-double effort by Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who had 24 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists.

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“This game was very big,” Doncic said. “We’ve still got a long way to the playoffs. We’ve got to approach every game the same way.”

The contest only reached overtime because LA’s Austin Reaves, who scored a game-high 32 points, rebounded his own missed free throw and sank a tying basket from the left side with 1.9 seconds to play in regulation.

“Saw they only had one person on that side so tried to miss on that side and go make a play,” Reaves said. “I’ve made it once before but not to this magnitude.”

The score was deadlocked again late in overtime before Doncic’s closing heroics.

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“I just wanted to get my shot off,” the Slovenian superstar said. “I saw there was an opening so I went to the other side. Went to my step back, I’ve worked on this, and trust my shot.”

The Lakers squandered a 17-point lead then erased an eight-point Denver fourth-quarter advantage and won to stand 42-25, third in the Western Conference, while the Nuggets fell to 41-27, sixth in the West.

“That’s the best I’ve ever seen the crowd here,” Doncic said.

The Lakers won the season series over Denver, a key tie-breaker edge in the standings if needed.

At San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama delivered an electric all-around performance to lead the Spurs over Charlotte 115-102.

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Wembanyama scored a game-high 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for San Antonio’s 17th victory in 19 games.

The 22-year-old, 7-foot-4 (2.24m) French center added eight assists, three blocked shots and two steals to avenge a January loss at Charlotte.

“That might have been my worst defensive game all year,” Wembanyama said. “So yeah, we had to make a statement today.”

The Spurs improved to 49-18, the second-best record in the NBA and only three games behind West leader Oklahoma City.

“What’s next is pretty straightforward. We want to win everything,” Wembanyama said.

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“We’ve got one disadvantage is that we don’t got experience. But that can be an advantage, too, because if we don’t know it’s impossible we might still do it.”

Wembanyama is mindful of keeping his body healthy for the upcoming post-season and in his quest for personal awards — the NBA Most Valuable Player and NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophies.

“In my mind it’s taking great care of my body because I also want to win the MVP and defensive player of the year,” Wembanyama said.

Wembanyama scored four points and added an assist in a 12-0 Spurs run to grab a 104-88 lead with 6:05 remaining.

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– Hawks’ streak at nine –

The Atlanta Hawks stretched their win streak to nine games, a run they had not produced since the 2014-15 campaign, by defeating visiting Milwaukee 122-99.

Jalen Johnson had a triple double for the Hawks with 23 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds while C.J. McCollum scored a game-high 30 points for Atlanta.

Orlando’s win streak reached seven games with a 121-117 victory at Miami, ending the Heat’s win streak at seven behind 27 points by Paolo Banchero and 21 by Desmond Bane.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum had 20 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists while Neemias Queta scored a game-high 24 points to spark the Celtics’ 111-100 victory at Washington, the Wizards losing skid reaching 11 games.

Philadelphia’s Quentin Grimes scored a season-high 28 points to lead the host 76ers over Brooklyn 104-97.

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Frank Onyeka has reacted to Coventry City’s 2–1 loss to Southampton in the EFL Championship.

The Nigerian midfielder, who joined Coventry in the January transfer window, had helped the team win six matches in a row before the game. However, he was unable to make a strong impact as Southampton secured a narrow victory.

Despite the defeat, Coventry remain top of the league table.

Speaking after the match, Onyeka encouraged his teammates to stay focused and move on quickly.

“It was a good game, but unfortunately, we could not get our win today. We had lots of chances which didn’t go in. It’s just one of those days. We have to pick ourselves up and go into the next game,” he said.

“The defeat isn’t something any player wants, but again, it’s one of those days where we have to accept what has happened and use it to fuel us in the next game.

“When we scored, we thought it was time to go for a point, but at the same time, there were other chances. It’s disappointing, but there’s nothing to dwell on here.

“I love playing here. From my first day at the club, I knew it was right. They welcomed me well, and I had my son here,” Onyeka added.

The midfielder says the team must respond strongly in their next fixture as they continue their push for promotion. 

The New York Giants continue their rebuild under new coach John Harbaugh. After 18 seasons with the Ravens, he was introduced as the 21st head coach of the franchise in January.

On Saturday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the team is bringing in wide receiver Darnell Mooney for the upcoming season. They are reportedly finalizing a one-year contract worth up to $10 million.

“Free agent wide receiver Darnell Mooney plans to sign with the Giants, per source. More speed on the way for Jaxson Dart. New York and agents @aj_stevens and David Mulugheta of @AthletesFirst reached deal today,” Fowler wrote.

Social media started buzzing with various reactions to the Giants adding more firepower on offense.

“Another weapon for Jaxson Dart,” one fan commented.

“Replacement for Wan’Dale (Robinson),” another fan said.

“Jaxson Dart just got another weapon and the Giants are quietly building something around their young quarterback that the reest of the NFC should start paying attention to,” this fan wrote.

“I like it. Another reasonable deal for a solid WR. I think they have solid weapons now. Two TEs, two RBs a number onee receiver and two solid WRs behind him,” another fan said.

“Mooney is fast but he hasn’t been a consistent number one receiver since his Chicago days. is this genuinely the weapon we’re building araound Jaxson Dart,” one fan wrote.

“Giants are cooking something not surprising if they make the playoffs this year,” this fan commented.

The Bears drafted Darnell Mooney with the 173rd overall pick back in 2020. He spent four seasons with them and recorded 2,593 yards on 213 receptions and 11 touchdowns.

In March 2024, the wide receiver joined the Atlanta Falcons on a three-year deal worth $39 million. Mooney recorded 443 receiving yards with just one touchdown while his team finished third in the NFC South with an 8-9 record. The Falcons decided to release him on Monday.

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Darnell Mooney is not the only signing for the Giants this offseason

Since leaving Baltimore and joining New York, John Harbaugh has been busy revamping the roster to become a championship contender this upcoming season.

Last week, he managed to poach Isaiah Likely from his former team. The tight end finalized a four-year deal worth $40 million with his new team.

Last season, Likely missed the first three games after surgery to repair a broken foot bone. In December, the Ravens gave three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews a three-year, $39.2 million extension. Isaiah Likely was projected to leave the team following this deal.

Apart from him, John Harbaugh signed six-time Pro Bowl fullback Pat Ricard to the team. He also has experience playing under him during his nine years with the Ravens.

Last season, the Giants finished dead last in the NFC East with a 4-13 record. Can they become a playoff contender under Harbaugh in 2026?