Nikola Jokic: Serbian makes NBA history with 56-point triple-double as Denver Nuggets beat Minnesota Timberwolves | Basketball news

Nikola Jokic became the first player to score 55 points with 15+ rebounds and 15+ assists in a game as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in a Christmas Day thriller; watch Cleveland Cavaliers at San Antonio Spurs Tuesday from 12:30 a.m., live on Sky Sports

Nikola Jokic’s 56-point night ranks third on the NBA Christmas Game scoring list, behind Bernard King (60) and Wilt Chamberlain (59).

Nikola Jokic recorded a 56-point triple-double and set an NBA record with 18 points in overtime, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day.

Jokic, a seven-time NBA All-Star, is the first player in NBA history to record more than 55 points, more than 15 rebounds and more than 15 assists in a game.

The Serbian broke Stephen Curry’s record of 17 points in overtime dating back to 2016, making it the most of any player in an NBA regular season or playoffs.

Jokic added 16 rebounds and 15 assists and Jamal Murray scored 35 points as the Nuggets improved to 3-0 on the season against the Wolves, who got 44 points from Anthony Edwards, only to see him ejected during the overtime period for challenging foul calls.

The Nuggets won despite three delays, including Cameron Johnson, who injured his right knee in Dallas on Tuesday night.

Edwards fulfilled his prediction for a big performance on Christmas Eve, bringing Minnesota back from a 15-point deficit in the final five and a half minutes of regulation and hitting a turning three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 115-15.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made the NBA history books with a remarkable performance on Christmas Day

Edwards added seven quick points as the Wolves opened the extra period on a 9-0 run, but as the Nuggets fought back, Edwards committed two technical fouls and was ejected.

Jokic was 3-for-3 from the floor in overtime, including 2-for-2 from long range to go with a 10-for-11 performance from the foul line. After blowing a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets fell behind 124-115, but went on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 126-126.

The Nuggets lost three starters after Johnson hyperextended his right knee Tuesday night in Dallas. Johnson joined Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) on the sidelines for Denver.

With Johnson out, Tim Hardaway Jr got the start and scored 19 points. In the third quarter, Joker recorded his 179th career triple-double, two shy of Oscar Robertson for second place in NBA history.

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