Nikola Jokić was on another level in the NBA’s final Christmas Day matchup, putting up a historic stat line that has never been recorded in league history. The three-time MVP led the Denver Nuggets to a 142–138 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a monumental triple-double, earning high praise from NBA legend Charles Barkley after the game.
Charles Barkley Raves About Nikola Jokić’s Historic Performance
Denver entered Christmas night shorthanded, missing three starters, including forward Cameron Johnson, who was sidelined with a knee injury sustained earlier in the week, but Jokić made sure their absence went unnoticed.
The Nuggets superstar delivered one of the greatest performances in NBA history, erupting for 56 points, 16 rebounds, 15 assists, and two blocks, including an all-time high 18 points in overtime.
NIKOLA JOKIĆ WITH VIDEO GAME STATS ON CHRISTMAS DAY 🤯
🃏 56 PTS
🃏 16 REB
🃏 15 AST
🃏 2 BLK
🃏 4 3PMTHE FIRST 55/15/15 GAME IN NBA HISTORY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/8LPXlFWO6V
— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2025
It marked the highest-scoring game ever recorded with at least 15 rebounds and 15 assists, a stat line no player has previously achieved. It also became the fifth-highest scoring triple-double of all time, with Jokić himself owning the top spot with 61 points.
Barkley, appearing on ESPN’s halftime and postgame shows, was visibly impressed. “Watching this guy play basketball is an honor and a privilege,” he said.
After Jokić’s earlier 55-point outburst against the Los Angeles Clippers this season, Barkley didn’t hesitate to call him the best basketball player in the world.
While Anthony Edwards did his best to spoil Jokic’s night, pouring in 44 points and leading a furious late comeback that erased a 15-point deficit in the final 5:30 of regulation to force overtime, Jokić rose to the moment when it mattered most, breaking Stephen Curry’s record (17) of most points scored in overtime with 18, while also adding two blocks to seal the win.
“I’m tired of not being surprised. That shit surprised me, bro,” said Nuggets guard Peyton Watson. “We can’t continue to just dismiss what this guy does on a night-to-night basis. Bro, it’s unbelievable.”
Jokić continues to play arguably the best basketball of his career and remains a frontrunner for another MVP award alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Through 30 games this season, the Serbian star is averaging 29.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, 11.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting an efficient 60.9% from the field.
With the win, Denver improved to 22–8 and sits third in the Western Conference, just one game behind the San Antonio Spurs. With Jamal Murray and the supporting cast playing well, the Nuggets remain one of the favorites to win the NBA Championship.
