Nikola Jokić makes NBA history with a 56 triple-double point against the T’Wolves

The final matchup of the NBA’s five-game Christmas Day schedule produced an exciting way to end a busy basketball holiday.

The Denver Nuggets held on to win 142-138 in overtime over the Minnesota Timberwolves thanks to Nikola Jokić’s triple double with 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists, in addition to Anthony Edwards’ eventful evening.

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We’ll start with Edwards, who finished the game with 44 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 game-tying shot with 1.1 seconds left in regulation, and 1 ejection.

Edwards’ fifth 40-point game of the season was highlighted by his 24 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. The game only needed one extra period due to the Timberwolves guard’s shot late in regulation that erased a 15-point Minnesota lead.

Edwards, however, didn’t finish the overtime, as he picked up his second technical foul with 20.5 seconds left.

On the other hand, Jokić’s night saw him post his 179th career triple-double in the win. The three-time MVP scored 18 points in the first quarter and completed his triple-double midway through the third quarter. He finished by scoring 18 of Denver’s 27 points in overtime for the first 55/15/15 game in NBA history.

Jokić’s 56 points place him third all-time on the NBA’s Christmas Day scoring list, behind Bernard King (60) and Wilt Chamberlain (59). He also appears to enjoy playing against the Timberwolves after posting triple-doubles in each of his last four games against Minnesota, including his career-high 61 points last April.

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“Brother, this is unbelievable. We’re watching history night after night,” Nuggets guard Peyton Watson said afterward.

The win moved the Nuggets to 22-8 as they sit second in the Northwest Division, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Timberwolves. Denver remains in third place in the Western Conference, one game behind the San Antonio Spurs and 3 1/2 games behind the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.