Nikola Jokić’s 56-point Christmas masterpiece sets multiple records

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić put together a Christmas play for the agesleading Denver to a 142-138 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists, achieving his first game of 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. ever recorded in the league.

The 56-point outing was the third-best Christmas performance in NBA history, trailing only Bernard King’s 60 in 1984 and Wilt Chamberlain’s 59 in 1961. Jokic also became fair. fifth player to score at least 50 points on Christmas Day, joining King, Chamberlain, Rick Berry’s 50 and Luka Doncic’s 50.

Jokic’s evening included historic efficiency and scope. He shot 15 of 21 from the field and 4 of 6 from three-point range, while going 10 for 11 at the free throw line in overtime alone. Eighteen of his 56 points came in overtime, breaking Stephen Curry’s NBA record of 17 overtime points from 2016. The 27-23 overtime period accounted for a combined 50 points, the most points scored in an NBA overtime game.

Jokic gave a score of 59.8seventh best single game in NBA history, according to Game Score. The performance was also his 15th triple-double of the season and 179th of the regular season, moving him within two of Oscar Robertson for second on the NBA’s all-time list. Including the postseason, Jokic now has 200 career triple-doubles.

This was Jokić’s second triple-double for Christmas. He previously posted 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in 2022, making him one of only three players with multiple Christmas triple-doubles, along with Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.

The Nuggets needed every bit of Jokic’s production. Denver took advantage of 15 points in the last five and a half minutes of regulation, and trailed by as many as nine points in overtime. Anthony Edwards forced overtime with a corner three and finished with 44 points for Minnesota, although he was ejected in overtime after picking up two technical fouls. Julius Randle added 32 points and seven rebounds, and Jaden McDaniels added 21 points.

Jamal Murray provided important support for the Nuggets, giving 35 points and 10 assists, while he was 9 of 18 from long range. Tim Hardaway Jr., starting due to injuries, added 19 points. Denver was shorthanded, missing Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Christian Brown, with Johnson dealing with a hyperextended knee from earlier this week.

The win improved the Nuggets’ record to 3-0 against the Timberwolves this season and kept Denver in third place in the Western Conference at 22-8. The Nuggets return to action next against the Orlando Magic on Saturday.