DENVER - Ty Lawson picked apart the Washington Wizards most of the night. With the game on the line, the Denver guard came up short.

Lawson scored 31 point and dished out 12 assists in his return to the Nuggets lineup but missed a tying jumper in the waning seconds of overtime in a 117-115 loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

"I think he thought the time was running out and he shot a fadeaway," Washington's John Wall said. "I was like, 'Thank you.' I thought it was still going to go in because he was making just about everything he put up tonight."

Wall scored six of his 19 points in overtime and had 16 assists and Kris Humphries had a season-high 21 points and 14 rebounds to help Washington stop a two-game skid.

Lawson was back after missing Friday's game after being arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired early Friday morning. Lawson returned to practice Saturday and was happy to be playing.

"Just to have fun, get around my brothers and take my mind off things," he said.

The Wizards, who got in early Sunday morning after a loss in Portland, had more jump in overtime. They scored the first six points and appeared to have the game locked up when Wall hit two free throws to give Washington a 117-112 lead with 10.2 seconds left.

Wilson Chandler, who finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, hit a 3-pointer to cut it to two. Lawson stole Paul Pierce's inbound pass but missed a short jumper with 1.1 seconds left.

"The steal surprised me so when I got it I didn't know what to do," Lawson said. "I thought I had one second so I rushed it a little bit."

No one was happier than Pierce, who was nearly the goat despite scoring 19 points.

"I tried to get it in quick, he stole the pass and that's it," Pierce said. "Thank you, thank you Ty Lawson."

It was the second blown chance to win it for the Nuggets.

The game was tied at 105 when Lawson stripped Wall of the ball with 4.9 seconds left. Kenneth Faried was fouled by Bradley Beal with 1.4 seconds left but missed both free throws and the game went into overtime.

"The play of the game was Brad trying to take a charge and they called a block," Wall said. "(Faried) missed two free throws and we had an opportunity to go to overtime."

The Nuggets have lost six straight for the second time this season.

"Ty Lawson played an incredible game and it would be fitting if he would have made that shot," Arron Afflalo said. "It was a great overall game by Ty, we just came up short."

Three straight buckets Kevin Seraphin to start the fourth gave the Wizards an 89-87 lead. After two free throws tied it, Bradley Beal converted a three-point play and Andre Miller hit a jumper as the shot clock expired to make it 94-89 with 7:27 left.

Lawson took over for the Nuggets. He hit a 3-pointer an two jumpers to give Denver a 101-99 lead late in the fourth.

Humphries' tip-in tied it but Darrell Arthur made a 19-footer to put Denver back ahead.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Have five players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Wall's 17.2 per game. ... Washington is 24-1 overall and 8-0 on the road when holding opponents to less than 100 points. ... Nene is shooting .660 over his last five games.

Nuggets: G Erick Green was recalled from Fort Wayne of the NBA D-League. Green was sent down to the Mad Ants on Tuesday. ... Nuggets C JaVale McGee was back in street clothes after suiting up but not playing Friday. He has missed 24 games with a lower left leg strain. ... G Arron Afflalo is second in franchise history in 3-point shooting percentage.

UP NEXT

Wizards: At L.A. Lakers on Tuesday.

Nuggets: At L.A. Clippers on Monday.