The LA Clippers overturned an early 17-point deficit to narrowly beat defending NBA champions the Denver Nuggets 102-100.

Nikola Jokic’s 36 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists were in vain for the Nuggets.

The feat was Jokic’s 24th triple-double of the season but he missed a three-point attempt with seconds remaining.

The result boosts the Clippers’ play-off hopes, though they have already secured at least a play-in spot.

The top six teams in each conference qualify for the play-offs while the teams in seventh to 10th place face play-in games for the final two spots.

Paul George scored 28 points and James Harden 20 for the Clippers, who were without Kawhi Leonard, absent for the second consecutive game with a knee injury.

Elsewhere, the New York Knicks ended their three-game losing streak in style by overturning a 21-point deficit against the Sacramento Kings.

Jalen Brunson scored 35 points and Josh Hart added 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the Knicks eventually won 120-109.

The Knicks are fifth in the NBA Eastern Conference but announced before the game that Julius Randle will require surgery on a dislocated shoulder to rule him out for the rest of the season.