Nikola Jokic was locked in from the opening tip of the 2025 NBA Christmas day finale between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic ripped a three-pointer on Denver’s first possession en route to an 18-point first quarter with the Nuggets missing three starters with injuries. From there, the 30-year-old big man spent most of his time hitting the glass, getting his teammates involved, and consistently forcing his way to the free throw line to slow down Minnesota’s running attack.
It felt like the Nuggets were on their way to a comfortable victory with a 15-point lead with under six minutes remaining in regulation. That’s when the Timberwolves’ offense roared back to form, tying the game on a nasty Anthony Edwards step-back three from the corner at the end of regulation. Jokic needed to go to work for five more minutes, and he made sure he team wasn’t leaving a Christmas game with coal in the extra session.
Advertisement
The Nuggets beat the Wolves, 142-138, in overtime thanks to a historic performance from Jokic that again makes him the MVP front-runner and asserts his place among the game’s all-time greats. Jokic finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, setting multiple NBA records in the process:
-
He’s the first player to have a 55-point triple-double with at least 15 rebounds and 15 assists
-
His 18 points in a single overtime is a new NBA record, breaking Stephen Curry’s mark of 17 overtime points in a 2016 playoff game against the Trail Blazers.
The Nuggets were without starters Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, and Christian Braun, but Jokic wouldn’t let them lose. The Wolves ended Denver’s dreams of back-to-back championships in the 2024 playoffs, and this remains one of the best rivalries in the league. Edwards (44 points) and Julius Randle (32 points) were outstanding for Minnesota, but Jokic consistently beat Rudy Gobert inside and delivered his team an incredible win.
There are so many incredible stats from Jokic’s Christmas day masterpiece. Let’s go over a few of them.
Advertisement
-
Jokic’s 87 combined points-rebounds-assists are tied for 8th most in NBA history since 1970.
-
Jokic finished the game with 90 percent true shooting, a statistic that measures scoring efficiency. NBA league average this season is 58.2 percent.
ESPN commentator Charles Barkley was in awe of Jokic during the game:
On a day when the Thunder lost to the Spurs for the third time this season, it feels like Jokic passed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the NBA MVP race. Jokic already has three MVP awards, and he would pass Magic Johnson and Larry Bird while tying LeBron James and Wilt Chamberlain if he wins his fourth.
Beyond that, this performance is just another reminder that Jokic is an all-time great. Any list of the best big men in NBA history has to include Jokic alongside Shaq, Wilt, Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jokic only has one championship ring so far, but this is the sixth straight season he’s been the best player in the world. It’s already one of the longest runs of dominance ever, and he isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Advertisement
Jokic was famously drafted during the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft as ESPN was playing a Taco Bell commercial. Denver gave away Taco Bell shirts ahead of the Christmas game, and Jokic arrived wearing a Taco Bell cardigan:
Jokic is greatness personified. Appreciate an all-time NBA player at his peak while you can.