There’s another jewel in King James’ crown, even if it came in another loss to the Nuggets.

Lakers forward LeBron James became the NBA’s all-time leader in made field goals late in the first quarter of Denver’s 120-113 win on Thursday at Ball Arena.

“He’s a really, really, really legendary player in this league. What he did and how consistent he is through his life or career … he still influences the game. Teams are still preparing for him even in whatever year he is in the NBA. He’s still pushing the pace. He’s still leading the league, probably, in transition points,” Nuggets star Nikola Jokic said.

“He’s definitely a legendary player.”

The 41-year-old made a fadeaway jumper over Zeke Nnaji late in the first quarter to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 15,837. After going 7 for 11 against the Nuggets, James has made 15,842 shots from the field. Nnaji wasn’t aware of James’ proximity to the record when he found out he was starting the game and guarding one of the game’s all-time greats. James is also the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, another one of Abdul-Jabbar’s old records, with 43,127 points and counting.

“Be a pest. That’s really my mindset. I know he’s a great player, one of the best of all time to do it,” Nnaji told the Denver Gazette in the postgame locker room.

“I know he likes on that left block to get to that fade. If he’s shooting that a lot during the game, we’re living with that.”

The 187^th triple-double of Nikola Jokic’s career — a 28-point, 13-assist and 12-rebound performance — led Denver to the victory. Jokic, who made 10 of 15 shots from the field, closed within 20 of Russell Westbrook’s NBA record.

Jamal Murray matched Jokic’s 28 points on 17 shots with seven assists and four rebounds. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 27 points, while James added 16 on 7-of-11 shooting.

The Nuggets acknowledged James’ accomplishment after the first quarter, and James received a round of applause from a split crowd.

With the win, the Nuggets extended a record of their own. Denver’s the only NBA franchise with a winning record (26-22) against James over the course of his career. It also cushioned Denver’s position in front of the Lakers for fifth place in the Western Conference.

“A lot of positives to this,” Adelman said. “That’s a really good team. More importantly … for the season series to tie it, knowing we have a chance, because we know all these teams are going to be close to each other at the end of the year.”

NUGGETS 120, LAKERS 113

What happened: Denver led by 10 after the first quarter and at halftime, 64-54. Los Angeles closed within seven to start the fourth but couldn’t complete a comeback in the clutch.

What went right: Denver outscored the Lakers by 18 points off free throws. Denver went 28 for 31, while the Lakers went 10 for 15.

What went wrong: The Nuggets committed 18 turnovers, nine from Nikola Jokic, and the Lakers finished with a 26-11 advantage in points off turnovers.

Highlight of the night: Julian Strawther caught a short pass from Nikola Jokic and finished a three-point play over Deandre Ayton to give the Nuggets an early 16-3 lead.

Up next: The Nuggets host the Knicks on Friday at Ball Arena.