Jokic's Unforgettable Performance Leads Nuggets to Christmas Victory

Nikola Jokic showcased an unforgettable Christmas Day performance, steering the Denver Nuggets to a nail-biting 142-138 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.

Jokic dominated with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, marking a historic milestone as he became the first player in NBA history to notch at least 55 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a single game. The 30-year-old secured the third-highest Christmas Day scoring total ever, only behind Bernard King’s 60 points in 1984 and Wilt Chamberlain’s 59 in 1961.

Though the Nuggets fell behind by nine points late in the game, Jokic’s brilliance paved the way for their comeback, allowing them to clinch the win in overtime. This victory marked his 15th triple-double of the season and the 179th of his career. Jamal Murray also shined, contributing 35 points and 10 assists, helping Denver rebound from two losses in their previous three games.

Minnesota's Anthony Edwards was sensational, scoring 44 points with 24 in the fourth quarter and overtime, but his night ended prematurely when he was ejected for a second technical foul with just 21 seconds left, a crucial moment that impacted the Timberwolves' comeback effort.

Meanwhile, in New York, the Knicks pulled off their most significant comeback of the season, overcoming a 17-point deficit to edge out the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124. Jalen Brunson led the way, finishing with 34 points and hitting the game-winning three-pointer in the final moments.

Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell matched Brunson with 34 points, but the Cavaliers couldn't protect their double-digit leads, suffering their first loss of the season while ahead after three quarters. Darius Garland also made contributions with 20 points and 10 assists, and Evan Mobley returned from injury with 14 points and nine rebounds.

San Antonio maintained its winning streak with a 117-102 victory over Oklahoma City. De’Aaron Fox scored 29 points, extending the Spurs' winning run to eight games, excluding the NBA Cup final. Victor Wembanyama returned from a calf injury, impressing with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 22 points but faced shooting challenges as Oklahoma City encountered back-to-back losses.

Additionally, Golden State staved off a late challenge from Dallas, winning 126-116. Stephen Curry contributed 23 points and hit a crucial three-pointer, while rookie Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 27 points, followed by Brandon Williams with 26. The Mavericks faced a setback as Anthony Davis exited due to groin spasms.

Finally, the Christmas Day lineup concluded with Houston's commanding 119-96 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers. Amen Thompson was the top scorer with 26 points, while Kevin Durant added 25 as the Rockets dominated the matchup.

Alperen Sengun completed a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing Houston's control on the boards throughout the game. Luka Doncic scored 25 points for the Lakers, with LeBron James contributing 18 points in his 19th Christmas Day appearance. Los Angeles struggled with rebounding and could not mount a serious challenge after an early deficit.