Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić made NBA history with a 56-point triple-double in a 142-138 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day. The performance, featuring 16 rebounds and 15 assists, marked the first game with at least 55 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists. Anthony Edwards scored 44 points for Minnesota but was ejected late in overtime.
The Denver Nuggets capped the NBA's Christmas Day slate with a thrilling 142-138 overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, powered by an unprecedented performance from Nikola Jokić. The three-time MVP finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists—his 179th career triple-double and the 15th of the season—becoming the first player to reach 55-plus points with 15-plus rebounds and assists in a single game. Jokić scored 18 points in the first quarter, completed his triple-double by mid-third, and added 18 of Denver's 27 overtime points, shooting 15-of-21 from the field, 4-of-6 from three, and 22-of-23 from the line in 43 minutes. He also blocked two shots.
This effort placed Jokić third on the NBA's all-time Christmas Day scoring list, behind Bernard King's 60 in 1984 and Wilt Chamberlain's 59 in 1961. It was his fifth straight triple-double against Minnesota, including a 61-point outing last April. Playing shorthanded without starters Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, and Christian Braun, the Nuggets rallied from nine points down in overtime. Jamal Murray contributed 35 points and 10 assists.
For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards erupted for 44 points—including 24 in the fourth quarter and overtime—plus six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. He tied the game with 1.1 seconds left in regulation but was ejected after his second technical foul with 20.5 seconds remaining in overtime. Julius Randle scored 32 points, Jaden McDaniels added 21, and Rudy Gobert grabbed 12 rebounds in a losing effort.
"It was a crazy game, and it’s a little bit late, so it’s nice to finish off with a victory," Jokić said postgame. Nuggets guard Peyton Watson added, "Bro, it's unbelievable. We're watching history on a night-to-night basis."
The win improved Denver to 22-8, second in the Northwest Division and third in the West, one game behind the San Antonio Spurs and 3.5 games behind Oklahoma City.
