Out of all the 5 games scheduled on the 2022 Christmas Day, the Denver Nuggets-Phoenix Suns battle was the most entertaining one for sure. The in-form Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, hosted Devin Booker and co. at the Ball Arena in front of a 19,600+ crowd.
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An action-packed thriller that witnessed 6 lead changes, 6 ties, and several runs, went down to the wire. After no winner emerged in the regulation, it was Mike Malone’s boys who had a 15-12 scoring advantage in overtime, winning the contest 128-125.
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With D-Book going out with a groin injury early in the game, Landry Shamet did an excellent job by contributing 31 points. Further, Chris Paul (17 points & 16 assists) and Deandre Ayton (22 points & 16 rebounds) recorded double-doubles.
However, it was the Joker who eclipsed each and every performance and emerged to be the talk of the town.
Nikola Jokic puts up a historic Christmas Day performance
In the 44:25 minutes of playing time, the Serbian superstar went to stuff the stat sheet with a 41-point, 15-rebound, and 15-assist triple-double while shooting an exceptional 64% from the field.
Check out the best plays from Nikola Jokic’s WILD 41 PTS, 15 AST, 15 REB triple-double! #NBAXmas 🎄🎁
Presented by DraftKings pic.twitter.com/TAXfkXYgrO
— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2022
This outstanding display by Jokic managed to shatter several records.
A 40/15/15 performance on Christmas Day is the first time in NBA history. It is also only the 4th time such a stat line has been recorded, with Nikola joining the likes of Oscar Robertson (2X) and James Harden.
Jokic also recorded the 4th 40-point, 15-rebound, 15-assist game in NBA history, joining Oscar Robertson (1961, 1962) and James Harden (2016). https://t.co/dpJZWamBAL
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 26, 2022
Apart from dropping the most number of points by a Nugget on Christmas Day, the 2-time MVP has also recorded the most number of points in a triple-double on any 25 December game.
NUGGETS WIN IN OT 🤩
Nikola Jokic dropped the most points ever in a Christmas triple-double 📈 pic.twitter.com/2gEYII3MxS
— ESPN (@espn) December 26, 2022
NBA Twitter reacts to the Joker’s outlandish stat-line
As soon as the Joker recorded the 82nd triple-double of his career, NBA Twitter blew up with various reactions.
Nikola Jokic Tonight (Literally): pic.twitter.com/9qcFHOenhq
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) December 19, 2022
Witnessed a soon-to-be 3x MVP masterclass performance pic.twitter.com/Rk2cHwF53T
— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) December 26, 2022
— Sam🦦 (@FckSamson) December 26, 2022
the year is 2050. flying cars exist. we can teleport now. in-person social interactions are a thing of the past. nikola jokic has just won MVP for the 30th consecutive year.
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) December 26, 2022
Nikola Jokic is on a whole different level right now. He’s dealing tonight.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 26, 2022
Even Hall-Of-Famer Kevin Garnett was in awe of the European’s performance.
Jokic plays beautiful basketball…
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) December 26, 2022
The 6-foot-11 center has been averaging 25.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game while leading Denver to the best record in the West. If he manages to keep this kind of production up, Nikola can certainly join the likes of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird as only the 4th player in history to win 3 consecutive MVP trophies.
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