Poole's 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left gives Wizards a 126-123 win over the Nuggets

DENVER (AP) — Jordan Poole hit a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left to give the Washington Wizards a 126-123 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

Poole finished with 19 points. Alex Sarr led the Wizards with a career-high 34 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 40 points and 13 rebounds.

Poole’s jumper with 44.1 seconds left gave the Wizards a 120-119 lead. After Russell Westbrook’s layup for Denver, Kyshawn George made a 3-pointer to again put the Wizards in front.

Jamal Murray’s jumper tied the game at 123 with 5.1 seconds left before Poole's 3-pointer for the win.

Westbrook surpassed 26,000 career points during the game, becoming just the 21st player to reach the milestone and the second point guard after Oscar Robertson.

Wizards: Washington improved to 15-51 on the season, tied for the fewest wins in the league. Marcus Smart was a late scratch with an illness.

Nuggets: It was the 14th back-to-back of the season for the Nuggets, who beat the Lakers 131-126 on Friday night. ... The Nuggets had 44 points in the first quarter. That was the most for any Wizards’ opponent this season.

The game was tied at 95 going into the fourth quarter. Michael Porter Jr. made a step back jumper that put the Nuggets in front 105-104 with 8:18 left. It touched off a 9-0 run capped by Murray’s 3-pointer that made it 112-104. But the Wizards clawed back, tying the game at 116 on Sarr’s 3-pointer with 2:13 left.

At 19, Sarr is the youngest player in Wizards' history with a 30-plus-point game.

The Wizards will stay on the road at the Trail Blazers on Monday night.

Next on the schedule for the Nuggets is a trip to take on the Warriors on Monday night to tip off a four-game streak of road games.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr, center, dunks the ball for a basket between Denver Nuggets guards Christian Braun, left, and Jamal Murray in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, right, passes the ball as Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is congratulated after scoring a basket and drawing a foul in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr, center, drives to the basket between Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and guard Jamal Murray in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped their four-game losing streak with a 107-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Austin Reaves scored 28 points and Jaxson Hayes matched his season high with 19 for the Lakers, who returned from an 0-4 road trip to extend their home winning streak to seven games.

Kevin Durant scored 21 points and Devin Booker had 19 for the 11th-place Suns, who missed a chance to gain ground on Dallas for the West's final play-in spot after the Mavericks lost at Philadelphia. Phoenix remained 1 1/2 games behind Dallas with a game in hand.

LeBron James (left groin strain) missed his fourth straight game, but coach JJ Redick said the top scorer in NBA history is “ramping up” toward a return.

Lakers starter Rui Hachimura (knee) also missed his ninth straight game, but Doncic (ankle) returned after sitting out Friday's loss in Denver, as did Hayes, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent.

Suns: A rough shooting game and their usual unimpressive defense were a bad combo. Durant and coach Mike Budenholzer also had another animated huddle exchange, this time while Phoenix was falling behind by 20 in the first quarter.

Lakers: They fell three spots in the West during their road trip, and their current stretch is brutal with seven games in 10 days, including five at home in seven days. With Doncic and Reaves healthy, they can compete until James returns.

Phoenix trimmed its deficit to 100-92 with less than two minutes left, but Finney-Smith buried a 3-pointer to seal it.

Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal went a combined 2 of 12 on 3-point attempts. Phoenix was 9 of 41 overall.

Both teams finish a back-to-back Monday. The Suns host the Raptors, and the Lakers host the Spurs.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) has his shot blocked by Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) to score in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, third from left, sits on the bench with his ankle wrapped in ice during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, third from right, sits on the bench with his ankle wrapped in ice during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) falls to the floor after colliding with Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Lakers Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) saves the ball from going out of bounds during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) tries to guard Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) gets a pass off in front of Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant (35) drives against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates with guard Gabe Vincent (7) and center Christian Koloko (10) after a three-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)