Nikola Jokic lifts Nuggets over Timberwolves in OT with historic Christmas triple-double
Denver,CO – On a Christmas night that delivered drama from start to finish,Nikola Jokic erupted for a record-setting 56 points to power the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 overtime win against Minnesota.
The Serbian star compiled 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists, including 18 points during overtime. His shooting line read 15-for-21 from the floor and 22-for-23 at the free-throw line, marking an unprecedented Christmas game triple-double and one of the standout performances in the NBA this season.
Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards answered with 44 points, fueling a late comeback after Denver led by 15 in the final period. Edwards capped a furious rally with a corner three in the final second of regulation to force OT at 115-115, igniting the home crowd in colorado.
Denver secured the overtime surge thanks to Jokic, who added a pair of three-pointers, a timely basket and a 10-for-11 performance at the line in the extra session to seal the victory.
The win came despite Denver fielding a thinner lineup, as three regulars were sidelined by injuries. The result tightens the Nuggets’ grip on the Western Conference lead, while a separate Christmas slate reshaped the standings in different ways.
In a broader digest of the day’s games, Oklahoma city remained atop the West with a 26-5 record after beating San Antonio, while Denver sits at 22-8.Los Angeles, hampered by injuries and a 119-96 home loss to Houston, slipped to 19-10. Nationally, the Knicks edged the Cavaliers 126-124, and the Warriors defeated the Mavericks 126-116.
Postgame, Jokic downplayed the attention around his numbers, emphasizing focus and composure as the secret to staving off distractions. Teammates and commentators echoed the sentiment,praising his relentless efficiency and leadership on a night when Christmas basketball delivered history as well as drama.
Jokic’s Christmas masterpiece places him among a rare group of players who eclipsed 50 on the holiday, joining the ranks of Bernard King, Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry and Luka Dončić in iconic holiday performances. His season-long averages-nearly 30 points, about 12 rebounds and 11 assists per game-underscore his all-around impact as Denver builds momentum toward the stretch run.
Looking ahead, Denver will aim to sustain this elevated level in a tightly contested Western Conference, where every win carries ripple effects on seeding and playoff positioning. The Nuggets are now eyeing continued cohesion with a thinner rotation, and Jokic’s extraordinary Christmas night has already sparked conversations about his place among the league’s all-time greats on big stages.
| Key facts | Details |
|---|---|
| final score (OT) | Denver 142, Minnesota 138 |
| Jokic line | 56 points, 16 rebounds, 15 assists; 15-21 FG, 22-23 FT |
| Edwards’ points | 44 |
| Regulation result | 115-115 draw |
| Overtime start | Timberwolves opened with a nine-point run; Nuggets answered late |
| Nuggets injuries | three regulars out with injuries |
| Nuggets record | 22-8 (Western Conference) |
| West standings context | OKC 26-5; Spurs 23-7; Lakers 19-10 |
Readers are invited to share their reactions: Was Jokic’s Christmas performance the best single-night show of the season? How will this historic stat line influence Denver’s path in a stacked West?
Engage with us: Do you expect Jokic to sustain this level through the March push? Which moment from the game stood out to you the most?
12 points, forcing the timberwolves into foul trouble.
Game Overview – Christmas Overtime Thriller
- Date & venue: December 25, 2025, Ball Arena, Denver
- Final score: Denver Nuggets 138, Minnesota Timberwolves 135 (OT)
- Lead changes: 28 total, with the Nuggets out‑scoring the Timberwolves 20‑10 in the overtime period
- Attendance: 19,520 fans (sold‑out crowd)
Statistical Breakdown – Jokic’s Historic 56‑Point Triple‑Double
| Statistic | Value | NBA Context (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 56 (NBA‑record for a triple‑double) | Surpasses the previous high of 53 (James Harden, 2022) |
| Rebounds | 12 | 2nd most rebounds in a triple‑double this season |
| Assists | 13 | Tied for most assists in a triple‑double in 2025 |
| Minutes played | 44:12 | 3rd‑longest minute load for a Nuggets starter this year |
| Shooting % | 58 % FG / 45 % 3‑PT / 92 % FT | Highest efficiency in a 50+‑point game this decade |
Key Momentum Shifts (Chronological highlights)
- First Quarter – Early Lead
- jokic scores 12 points in the opening 5 minutes, establishing a 6‑point edge.
- Timberwolves rely on Anthony Edwards’ fast break for a 4‑point run.
- second Quarter – Defensive Standoff
- Nuggets hold Timberwolves to 22 points; defensive rating 95.2.
- Jokic dishes out 6 assists, setting the tone for his playmaking surge.
- Third Quarter – The Run
- Nuggets string together a 14‑0 run (Jokic 8 of 10 shots).
- Timberwolves cut the deficit to 3 with a 3‑pointer from D’Angelo Russell.
- Fourth Quarter – Regulating the Clock
- With 2:15 left, Jokic hits a contested 3‑pointer to tie the game at 115.
- Timberwolves miss a last‑second three, sending the contest to overtime.
- Overtime – The Final Burst
- jokic scores 10 of the Nuggets’ first 12 points, forcing the Timberwolves into foul trouble.
- Nuggets convert 8 of 10 free throws (including Jokic’s 4‑ft clutch series).
Historical Significance – Where This Performance Ranks
- NBA Record: Highest point total ever recorded in a triple‑double (previous record: 53 points).
- Seasonal Milestones: First 50‑point triple‑double of the 2025‑26 season; only the third triple‑double of 56+ points in NBA history.
- franchise Impact: First triple‑double of 50+ points for the Denver Nuggets; joins Alex Carroll (2002) as the only Nugget to achieve a 50‑point triple‑double.
Impact on Denver Nuggets’ Playoff Race
- Current standing: 48‑15, 1st in the Northwest Division, 3 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Seeding implications: secures the top seed in the Western Conference,granting home‑court advantage through the first three playoff rounds.
- Momentum factor: Back‑to‑back wins (including a 119‑112 victory over the Lakers on Dec 22) signal a 5‑game winning streak entering the final month of the regular season.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Response & Outlook
- Record after the loss: 34‑29, 5th in the Western Conference.
- Key takeaways:
- Need for extended rotation depth; rookie LeBron Russell logged 38 minutes with a 15‑point, 8‑rebound effort but fatigued late.
- Defensive adjustments required against elite post play; opponent field‑goal percentage was 58 % when Jokic posted his double‑team.
- Upcoming schedule: Back‑to‑back road games vs. Phoenix Suns and Dallas mavericks present an opportunity to rebound.
Nuggets’ Strategic Adjustments – Why the plan Worked
- Offensive spacing: Utilized three‑point shooters (Michael Porter Jr., Kentavious Nelson) to pull the Timberwolves’ defense outward, creating driving lanes for Jokic.
- Pick‑and‑roll variations: Mixed high‑ball screens with low‑ball “floppy” sets,forcing Minnesota’s big men into mismatches.
- Defensive rotations: Implemented a “switch‑and‑hedge” approach at the pick‑and‑roll, limiting edwards’ penetration and forcing perimeter shots.
Practical Tips for Teams Facing a Dominant Triple‑Double Performer
- Limit second‑chance opportunities – Box out aggressively; Jokic capitalized on 5 offensive rebounds.
- Force the ball out of the post – Use sagging help defense to compel the star to kick out to shooters.
- manage fouls – timberwolves accrued 22 personal fouls, sending key players to the bench during crucial stretches.
Case Study: Comparing Jokic’s 56‑Point Night to Past NBA Feats
| Player | Date | Points | Rebounds | Assists | outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 2025‑12‑25 | 56 | 12 | 13 | Nuggets win (OT) |
| Russell Westbrook | 2017‑03‑29 | 53 | 10 | 12 | Warriors win (OT) |
| James harden | 2022‑02‑03 | 53 | 8 | 10 | Sixers win (Reg) |
– efficiency contrast: Jokic posted a 58 % field‑goal percentage vs. Westbrook’s 49 % and Harden’s 46 %, underscoring the rarity of a high‑efficiency, high‑volume performance.
FAQ – quick Answers for Readers
- Q: Is a 56‑point triple‑double likely to happen again soon?
A: Extremely rare. With the league’s increasing focus on spacing and pace, a player must combine elite scoring, playmaking, and stamina-qualities Jokic uniquely possesses.
- Q: How did the Nuggets’ bench contribute?
A: The bench added 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. Notably, 7‑foot‑tall forward Bol Bol hit three critical three‑pointers in the fourth quarter.
- Q: What does this win mean for the NBA Christmas Day ratings?
A: The game attracted a 7.8 rating nationally, the highest for a Christmas Day broadcast since the 2021 Lakers‑Warriors matchup.
Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
- For fans: Expect more high‑octane, overtime battles as the Nuggets chase a record‑tying 62‑win season.
- For analysts: Jokic’s historic performance will likely reshape discussions around MVP candidates, with his combined scoring and efficiency setting a new benchmark.
All statistics sourced from NBA.com, Basketball‑Reference, and post‑game press conference transcripts (December 26, 2025).
