Nuggets' Jokic Shatters Records in Thrilling Christmas Day Game

Post by : Mina Rahman

Nikola Jokic delivered an unforgettable Christmas Day performance, leading the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 142-138 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday evening.

Jokic exploded for an astounding 56 points, along with 16 rebounds and 15 assists, making history as the first player to achieve at least 55 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a single game. This performance also ranks as the third-highest scoring output in Christmas Day history, falling behind only Bernard King's 60 points in 1984 and Wilt Chamberlain's 59 points in 1961.

The Nuggets found themselves down by nine late in the game but rallied back thanks to Jokic's brilliance to force overtime and secure the win. This marked his 15th triple-double of the season and the 179th of his career. Jamal Murray complemented Jokic with 35 points and 10 assists, bouncing back for the Nuggets after two losses in their previous three games.

From the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards showcased his talent with 44 points, including 24 during the fourth quarter and overtime. Unfortunately for Minnesota, his night ended prematurely when he was ejected with just 21 seconds to go in overtime after receiving his second technical foul, a critical moment that dashed their comeback chances.

In New York, the Knicks overcame a staggering 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 34 points, netting 13 of those in the crucial final minutes and sinking the game-winning three-pointer with just over a minute left on the clock.

Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points for Cleveland, who let several double-digit advantages slip away, suffering their first loss of the season when leading after three quarters. Darius Garland added 20 points and 10 assists, while Evan Mobley scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in his return from injury.

The San Antonio Spurs continued their dominant stretch with a convincing 117-102 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. De'Aaron Fox scored 29 points as the Spurs extended their winning streak to eight games, not including the NBA Cup final. Victor Wembanyama returned from a calf injury, contributing 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 22 points, but faced challenges with shooting efficiency, resulting in consecutive losses for Oklahoma City.

Golden State held off a late surge from Dallas, winning 126-116 in San Francisco. Stephen Curry scored 23 points and landed a crucial deep three-pointer in the final minutes to restore their lead. Rookie Cooper Flagg made his mark with 27 points for Dallas, while Brandon Williams added 26 points. The Mavericks struggled early when Anthony Davis exited the game due to groin spasms.

Wrapping up Christmas Day, the Houston Rockets secured a dominant 119-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Amen Thompson topped the scoring charts with 26 points, while Kevin Durant added 25, as the Rockets controlled the game from start to finish.

Alperen Sengun achieved a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing Houston's dominance on the boards. Luka Doncic registered 25 points for the Lakers, while LeBron James scored 18 points in his 19th Christmas Day outing. The Lakers faced tough challenges on the boards, struggling to make a comeback after an early deficit.