Deadspin | LeBron James sets record but exits injured in Lakers’ loss to Nuggets

Sports news March 6, 2026

Mar 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) guards in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to overcome nine turnovers, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 on Thursday night in a crucial Western Conference matchup.

LeBron James finished with 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting to reach another milestone in his 23rd season. James entered the night two behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in made field goals in NBA history and passed the all-time great on a 12-foot turnaround jumper in the first quarter.

James, who now has made 15,842 shots in his career, didn’t reach the end of the game, though. He exited with 3:58 to go in the fourth quarter after sinking a layup, falling to the floor and hurting his left elbow.

In the first quarter, Los Angeles’ Deandre Ayton exited for good due to a knee injury. Coach JJ Redick had no substantive updates about either player postgame.

Jamal Murray scored 28 points, Julian Strawther had 18 points, Christian Braun contributed 15 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 off the bench for the Nuggets.

Luka Doncic had 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists but picked up his 15th technical foul of the season in the second quarter. One more and he will serve a one-game suspension.

Jaxson Hayes scored 19 points and Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves finished with 16 points each for the Lakers, who had their three-game winning streak stopped.

Denver, playing without four of its top forwards, led the entire game. The Nuggets were up 102-91 early in the fourth when Los Angeles rallied, getting within 112-111 with 2:05 left after Reaves split a pair of free throws.

Jokic hit a short hook to make it a three-point lead, and then followed Smart’s missed 3-pointer with a running layup to make it 116-111 with 22.3 seconds left.

Doncic missed a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 20.1 seconds left and Denver closed it out at the line.

The teams traded runs in the first half, with the Nuggets leading by as many as 15, and took a 64-54 advantage into halftime.

The Lakers pulled within 82-78 midway through the third quarter, Denver responded to lead by 11 but Doncic hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute, including a sharp-angle bank shot to make it 93-86 heading into the fourth.

–Field Level Media

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Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.

Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments

Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.

Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.

While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.

“So hopefully we will make that.”

HARROWING EXIT

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.

Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.

Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.

She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.

“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.

“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”

Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.

Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.

“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.

“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">

Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournamentsPrior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.“So hopefully we will make that.”HARROWING EXITSince the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition

mwasimuddin125 0

Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.
Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.
Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.
“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.
“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”
READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.
Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.
While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.
“So hopefully we will make that.”
HARROWING EXIT
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.
Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.
Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.
She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.
“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.
“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”
Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.
Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.
“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.
“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”
Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments