Nikola Jokic compiled 56 factors, 16 rebounds and 15 assists because the host Denver Nuggets rallied from 9 down in additional time to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-138 on Thursday night time.
The 30-year-old star produced the primary NBA recreation ever with at the least 55 factors, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. Jokic additionally logged the third-highest level complete ever registered on Christmas Day, behind 60 factors from Bernard King in 1984 and 59 from Wilt Chamberlain in 1961.
“It was a loopy recreation, and it is just a little bit late, so it is good to complete off with a victory,” Jokic mentioned postgame on ABC.
It was the fifteenth triple-double of the season for Jokic. He now has 179 in his profession in the course of the common season and 21 within the postseason.
Jamal Murray completed with 35 factors and 10 assists for the Nuggets, who had misplaced two of their earlier three video games.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards scored 24 of his 44 factors within the fourth quarter and additional time earlier than choosing up his second technical foul with 21 seconds left within the additional session.
Julius Randle scored 32 factors, Jaden McDaniels added 21 factors and Rudy Gobert had 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which had received three straight.
Edwards’ 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in regulation capped the Timberwolves’ rally from a 15-point lower than six minutes to go. Minnesota then scored the primary 9 factors of additional time to steer 124-115.
Jokic hit subsequently hit two from deep, made a floater and sank two free throws throughout a 13-2 run that gave Denver a 128-126 lead. Edwards hit a layup to tie it, however Murray drained a 3-pointer with 35.7 seconds left to provide the Nuggets a 131-128 edge.
Jokic hit eight free throws within the last 28 seconds to carry off Minnesota. He completed 22-for-23 from the road.
Denver was with out Cameron Johnson, who sustained a bone bruise and hyperextension of his proper knee in a Tuesday loss at Dallas. Johnson, who’s averaging 11.7 factors this season, is predicted to overlook 4 to 6 weeks.
Tim Hardaway Jr. obtained the beginning in his place and completed with 19 factors, and Spencer Jones contributed 12 for the Nuggets.
The Timberwolves rallied to get inside 108-107 with 2:12 left within the fourth quarter. Denver went forward 113-107 with 44 seconds left on a Jones tip-in, however Edwards hit three free throws earlier than a turnover led to McDaniels’ dunk with 4.8 seconds remaining.
Jokic made two free throws with 3.6 seconds to play, however Edwards drained a twisting nook 3-pointer to ship it to additional time.
Jokic obtained his triple-double when he fed Murray on a fastbreak layup with 7:24 left within the third quarter that gave the Nuggets a 73-61 lead.
–Area Degree Media
