Christmas Day in the NBA always brings its share of drama, but this year’s showdown between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets delivered something fans won’t soon forget - and it wasn’t just the final score.
In a game packed with emotion, momentum swings, and historic stat lines, one subtle moment in overtime captured the tension better than any highlight dunk or buzzer-beater. As Nikola Jokić stepped to the free-throw line during the extra period, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards casually slapped his hands - a small, almost playful gesture. But in a game this intense, even the smallest move felt magnified.
Edwards, who had just helped force overtime with a clutch three-pointer, acted as if nothing happened. Jokić, ever the picture of composure, didn’t flinch.
He calmly went through his routine and knocked down the free throws, unfazed. That clip quickly made the rounds online, not because it was flashy, but because it said so much about the moment.
Denver had just watched a big lead slip away. Minnesota was surging.
And yet, there was Jokić - cool, focused, and completely in control. It was a snapshot of why he continues to sit atop the MVP race.
But that little exchange was just one piece of a wild Christmas night in Denver.
From the opening tip, it was clear this one had the makings of a classic. Jokić got things going with a rare stepback three from the corner - not exactly a go-to move for the big man, but it set the tone.
The Nuggets and Timberwolves traded early turnovers, but Jokić’s inside scoring and pinpoint passing kept Denver humming. By the end of the first quarter, he had already racked up 18 points, and the Nuggets clung to a slim 32-29 lead.
Then came the swings. Minnesota caught fire in the second quarter, rattling off a big run that put Denver on its heels. But true to form, the Nuggets responded late, tightening up defensively and riding Jokić’s steady hand to stay in it.
The numbers by the end were jaw-dropping. Jokić finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists - the first 50-15-15 game in NBA history, according to league records.
That’s not just a monster night. That’s a performance that gets etched into NBA lore.
And he had to be that good, because Anthony Edwards was right there with him. The Timberwolves star poured in 44 points of his own, including the cold-blooded three that sent the game into overtime. His night ended with an ejection, but not before he helped push Minnesota to the brink of a statement road win.
In the end, Denver held on for a 142-138 victory - a gritty, high-scoring win that gave them a much-needed boost before embarking on a seven-game road trip. It wasn’t always clean.
The Nuggets had their sloppy stretches. But when it mattered most, they leaned on their MVP.
Jokić’s calm demeanor at the line, even with a little gamesmanship from Edwards, summed up the night perfectly. This wasn’t just about stats - though those were historic. It was about poise, execution, and finding a way to win when the game demanded everything.
On a night built for stars, Jokić delivered a performance for the ages - and a Christmas memory Denver fans won’t soon forget.