By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
It wasn’t a Christmas miracle—because nothing Nikola Jokić does feels surprising anymore—but what he produced against the Minnesota Timberwolves was special even by his own extraordinary standards.
Shorthanded and without three key players in Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson, the Denver Nuggets defeated Minnesota at home 142–138, with Jokić delivering yet another historic triple-double.
This one, however, was unlike most others. Jokić poured in 56 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and handed out 15 assists in 42 and a half minutes on the floor, shooting an ultra-efficient 15-of-21 from the field and an incredible 22-of-23 from the free-throw line.
It is enough to say this was the first 55/15/15 game in NBA history—and it had to be Nikola Jokić.
Jamal Murray was also phenomenal with 35 points and 10 assists, Jonas Valančiūnas contributed two points and four rebounds for the Nuggets, while four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert was unable to slow down the three-time NBA MVP, finishing with nine points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards also had an exceptional game for the visitors, scoring 44 points and forcing overtime, but Jokić simply could not be stopped.
Earlier, the Houston Rockets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 119–96 on the road, with Alperen Şengün posting 14 points and 12 rebounds.
For the Lakers, Luka Dončić led the way with 25 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the Rockets, as Amen Thompson scored 26 points and Kevin Durant added 25.
NBA Christmas results:
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124
OKC Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 102-117
Golden State Warriors – Dallas Mavericks 126-116
LA Lakers – Houston Rockets 96-119
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 142-138
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Tunder 26-5
2. San Antonio Spurs 23-7
3. Denver Nuggets 22-8
4. Los Angeles Lakers 19-10
5. Minnesota Timberwolves 20-11
6. Houston Rockets 18-10
7. Phoenix Suns 16-13
8. Golden State Warriors 16-15
9. Memphis Griizlies 14-16
10. Portland Trail Blazers 12-18
11. Dallas Mavericks 12-20
12. Utah Jazz 10-19
13. LA Clippers 8-21
14. New Orleans Pelicans 8-23
15. Sacramento Kings 7-23
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 24-6
2. New York Knicks 21-9
3. Boston Celtics 18-11
4. Toronto Raptors 18-13
5. Philadelphia 76ers 16-12
6. Orlando Magic 17-13
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 17-15
8. Miami Heat 15-15
9. Atlanta Hawks 15-16
10. Chicago Bulls 14-15
11. Milwaukee Bucks 12-18
12. Charlotte Hornets 10-20
13. Brooklyn Nets 9-19
14. Indiana Pacers 6-24
15. Washington Wizards 5-23