Nikola Jokic makes NBA history as Nuggets outlast Timberwolves on Christmas Day

The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves served up a Christmas Day cracker at Ball Arena on Thursday, with a history-making Nikola Jokic ultimately outshooting Anthony Edwards as the hosts prevailed in overtime.

Edwards was in scintillating form for the Timberwolves, racking up 44 points, including a game-tying shot that forced OT at the death. That would usually be enough to lead the scoring on any given night.

Edwards outdone by history-making Jokic

This was no ordinary game, however, and Edwards was not facing an ordinary opponent. The insatiable Jokic helped the Nuggets bounce back from a surprise loss to a Cooper Flagg-inspired Mavericks team by delivering one of the finest performances of his 10-year NBA career.

The Serbian superstar recorded a staggering 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists while shooting 15 of 21 from the field, 4 of 6 from three-point range and 22 of 23 from the free-throw line. In the process, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to post at least 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a single game.

The three-time MVP’s 56 points also rank as the third-highest scoring total in a Christmas Day game behind Bernard King (60 points in 1984) and Wilt Chamberlain (59 points in 1961).

‘Ant-Man’ nearly steals the show

It looked as if Denver had pulled away in the third quarter, only for Edwards to drag Minnesota back into the contest in the fourth. The guard’s last-gasp three-pointer tied the game with one second remaining after the Timberwolves won the final quarter 37-23.

Jokic and the Nuggets, however, flipped the script in overtime. Denver won the extra period by the same score to secure a dramatic 142-138 victory.

Western Conference implications

The win moves the Nuggets to 22-8 on the season and solidifies third place in the Western Conference behind the San Antonio Spurs (23-7) and Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5). Minnesota remains fifth at 20-11, just behind the Los Angeles Lakers (19-10).

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