Nikola Jokic went nuclear late on Christmas night, saving the best present for last, as he gifted fans with a 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist master class, as the Nuggets beat the Timberwolves, 14-138 in overtime.
Joker became the first player in NBA history to put up 55+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 15+ assists in one game, and did so in an incredibly efficient fashion, shooting 15-21 from the floor, 4-6 from three, and 22-23 from the line. The only other player to ever even record a 50+ point triple-double was James Harden in 2016.
It was all needed too as the Nuggets surrendered a big lead late in the fourth quarter, then quickly fell behind by 9 in the extra session. But Jokic went to work, ultimately scoring 18 of his points in overtime, which is yet another NBA record, passing Steph Curry, who put up 17 points in OT of a playoff game, and Gilbert Arenas, who had 16 in a regular-season extra period.
Jokic’s brilliance also contributed to historical team success, as the Nuggets scored 27 points in the five-minute overtime, which is - you guessed it - another new NBA record.
Jokic rewrites Christmas record book
It was a historic game by any standards, and it also got his name added to some special lists for the festive holiday. Jokic became just the fifth player to score 50+ points on Christmas Day, with his 56 being third all-time behind only Bernard King (60) and Wilt Chamberlain (59). He’s the only player to put up 50+ with a triple-double.
He’s also now one of three players to record multiple triple-doubles on Christmas Day, as he went off for 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists back in 2022. Only Oscar Robertson has more, with four triple-doubles on Christmas, while Russell Westbrook has done it twice, just like Jokic.
Overall, this was a rock-solid performance by a team that was missing three starters and facing a team that has had its number in recent years. But the two starters who played brought their A-games. Jamal Murray was right there with the Joker, playing every bit of the co-star role, and adding 35 points and 10 assists, making nine three-pointers.
Murray and Jokic are just the 10th pair of teammates in league history to each have 30+ points and 10+ assists, and they are the first ever teammate duo to combine for 90+ points and 25+ assists in a game. It was a great showing by the two stars that helped the team eke out a great win over a hated rival. And it was a perfect nightcap to Christmas, with a wonderful present courtesy of the best player in the world.