The Joker’s Wild: Nikola Jokic Drops 56 in Instant NBA Christmas Classic Overtime Thriller Against Minnesota Timberwolves
If you decided to skip the late-night NBA Christmas Day slate to catch up on sleep or pretend to like your in-laws’ gifts, I have bad news: You missed the game of the year.
We aren’t talking about a standard regular-season matchup where the stars play three quarters and sit out the fourth. We’re talking about an absolute fever dream of basketball that featured 50 points in overtime alone, a frantic comeback, an ejection of a superstar, and a stat line from Nikola Jokic that looks like a glitch in NBA 2K.
The Denver Nuggets’ 142-138 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. It was a reminder that while the league is full of young, explosive talent like Anthony Edwards, the road to the Larry O’Brien trophy still runs through a certain Serbian center who treats triple-doubles like a mundane day at the office.
A Duel for the Ages: Jokic vs. Edwards
Sports are better when the stars show up, and Christmas Day delivered a heavyweight bout that lived up to the billing.
On one side, you had Anthony Edwards, the charismatic, high-flying face of the Timberwolves. “Ant-Man” was electric, pouring in 44 points and hitting a twisting, contorted 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 115. It was the kind of shot that makes you spill your eggnog. He stared down the crowd, screamed at the rafters, and looked ready to snatch the soul out of Ball Arena.
On the other side, you had Nikola Jokic. Cool, calm, and absolutely lethal. Jokic finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists. He became the first player in NBA history to post a 55/15/15 stat line. Read that again. We are watching a unicorn in real-time. He isn’t just dominating; he’s rewriting the geometry of the sport. While Edwards was playing jazz—improvisational and loud—Jokic was conducting a classical symphony, orchestrating every possession with surgical precision.
The Overtime That Broke the Simulation
If regulation was a thriller, overtime was a psychological horror movie for Minnesota fans. The Wolves came out swinging, ripping off a 9-0 run to start the extra period. At that moment, the Nuggets looked cooked. They were down three starters (Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, and Christian Braun were all out), and the momentum had swung entirely to the visitors.
Then, the wheels came off for Minnesota, and Jokic put on the cape.
Edwards, perhaps still riding the adrenaline high of his regulation buzzer-beater, got tangled up in the heat of the moment and was ejected after picking up two quick technical fouls. It was a stunning turn of events—the hero of regulation forced to watch the climax from the locker room.
With Edwards gone, Jokic smelled blood in the water. He scored 18 points in the five-minute overtime period. Eighteen! That broke Stephen Curry’s record for the most points in a single overtime in NBA history. Jokic went 3-for-3 from the floor, perfect from deep, and practically lived at the free-throw line, sinking 10 of 11. It was a masterclass in closing. He didn’t just beat the Timberwolves; he dismantled their spirit, possession by painful possession.
Why This Win Means More Than Just a “W”
It’s easy to look at a December game and say, “It’s a long season.” But context matters.
The Nuggets were short-handed, missing key defensive pieces. They were staring down a young, hungry Wolves team that wanted to prove they belonged at the top of the NBA Western Conference food chain. And for 48 minutes, it looked like Minnesota might pull it off.
But great teams find a way when they have no business winning. Jamal Murray, often the Robin to Jokic’s Batman, was spectacular in his own right, chipping in 35 points and draining nine three-pointers. He kept the boat afloat long enough for Jokic to turn on the afterburners.
For Minnesota (20-11), this is a heartbreaker. They had the Nuggets on the ropes on their home floor. Julius Randle added 32 points, and the team showed incredible fight, but losing composure in OT cost them dearly.
For Denver (22-8), it’s confirmation. Even with a depleted roster, even when the opponent shoots the lights out, having the best player in the NBA is the ultimate trump card. As Peyton Watson put it post-game, “I’m tired of not being surprised.”
