Denver, Colorado — On Christmas Day 2025, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets etched his name into NBA history with a jaw-dropping performance, producing the first-ever game with at least 55 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists. Jokic’s heroics powered Denver to a thrilling 142-138 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.

The 30-year-old center compiled 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, cementing his status as one of the game’s all-time greats. Jokic’s 56-point tally is also the third-highest ever scored on Christmas Day, following Bernard King’s 60 in 1984 and Wilt Chamberlain’s 59 in 1961.

Jokic’s Historic Performance

“It was a crazy game, and it’s a little bit late, so it’s nice to finish off with a victory,” Jokic said in a postgame interview with ABC.

This game marked Jokic’s 15th triple-double of the 2025 season, bringing his career totals to 179 in the regular season and 21 in the postseason. His teammate Jamal Murray contributed 35 points and 10 assists, helping Denver overcome a nine-point deficit late in regulation.

For Minnesota, Anthony Edwards scored 44 points, including 24 in the fourth quarter and overtime, but picked up his second technical foul with 21 seconds left in the extra session. Julius Randle added 32 points, Jaden McDaniels scored 21, and Rudy Gobert grabbed 12 rebounds.

Other Notable NBA Christmas Day Games

• New York Knicks 126, Cleveland Cavaliers 124: Jalen Brunson hit a decisive three-pointer with 1:05 left, scoring 34 points overall. The Knicks overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit, with reserves Jordan Clarkson (25 points) and Tyler Kolek (16 points, 9 assists) contributing heavily. Donovan Mitchell tallied 34 points for the Cavaliers.
• San Antonio Spurs 117, Oklahoma City Thunder 102: De’Aaron Fox led San Antonio with 29 points. The Spurs extended their winning streak to eight games, while Victor Wembanyama logged 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 22 points for the Thunder.
• Golden State Warriors 126, Dallas Mavericks 116: Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 23 points, teaming with Gary Payton II to secure the win. Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg scored 27 points, while Brandon Williams added 26. Anthony Davis exited early with a groin injury.
• Houston Rockets 119, Los Angeles Lakers 96: Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Amen Thompson added 26, and Alperen Sengun recorded a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds). The Rockets dominated from start to finish. Luka Doncic scored 25 points for the Lakers, with LeBron James adding 18.

Jokic’s Place in NBA History

Nikola Jokic’s performance is already being hailed as one of the greatest individual games in NBA history. The Serbian superstar, a two-time MVP and perennial All-Star, has continued to redefine what a center can achieve, blending scoring, rebounding, and playmaking at an unprecedented level.

Denver fans celebrated Jokic’s heroics as the Nuggets improved their record in a highly competitive Western Conference. Analysts are noting that this game could serve as a benchmark for future comparisons in NBA history, particularly for versatile big men capable of filling the stat sheet across multiple categories.