Nikola Jokic Makes More History

Cover Photo: Denver Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokic. Photo credit: C. Morgan Engel, Getty Images.

Denver Nuggets’ superstar Nikola Jokic continues to mystify. 

The 30-year-old, 3-time Most Valuable Player and 7-time All-Star is a blend of special talents that we have never seen. Last year, I wrote that Jokic is a combination of all-time greats, a unique amalgamation of abilities that forms a truly unstoppable talent. 

The Nuggets went into Christmas’ nighttime contest with the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 21-8 record, ahead in the Western Conference standings of the 19-10 Los Angeles Lakers but behind the 23-7 San Antonio Spurs. 

In an overtime affair that instantly became a classic, the Nuggets prevailed 142-138, this after Timberwolves’ superstar Anthony Edwards connected with a corner triple to send the game into the extra period. 

Jokic, with 38 points at the end of regulation, poured in 18 of the Nuggets’ 27 in overtime. The all-word pivot finished the game with 56 points (15-of-21 from the field, 4-of-6 from 3-point range, 22-of-23 from the free-throw line), 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, which made him the first player in NBA history to record at least 50-15-15 in a game and first to record a 50-point triple-double on Christmas Day. 

For the season, Jokic is averaging 29.8 points per game (1st) and an NBA-leading 12.1 rebounds and 11.0 assists. Thursday’s effort was his 15th triple-double of the season, joining his 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 15., his 29 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 1, and his 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists on Nov. 17 against the Chicago Bulls as his most impressive of the season. He had already scored 50 points once this season, with 55 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists on Nov. 12 against the Los Angeles Clippers. If Jokic averages a triple-double yet again (he averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists in 2024-25), it will be the second such instance in his career. 

Eight different players in NBA history - Jokic, Luka Doncic, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Richie Guerin - have recorded 50-point triple-doubles. Only three - Jokic, Doncic, Harden - have done it while scoring 60 or more points. On April 1, 2025, Jokic posted 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Timberwolves. 

The Nuggets have made the playoffs each season since 2018-19, winning 50 or more games three times in that span and winning the championship in 2023. Prior to that 2018-19 season, the team had gone five straight seasons without a postseason appearance. 

Jokic has not only established the franchise as a perennial contender, but he continues on a nightly basis to show why he is one of the best players to ever play the game. 

Thursday, Dec. 25 was just the latest example.