Christmas Day is usually about gifts. At Ball Arena in Denver, Nikola Jokic decided to take care of that personally, delivering a performance destined to live in the NBA archives. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets’ center wrote a page of history with a performance that was simply unreal.

56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, along with two blocks, to lead Denver to a 142–138 victory after a fiercely contested overtime. Numbers that only partially capture Jokic’s total impact on a wild game, one that swung back and forth and was decided only in the five extra minutes.

A game carried on his shoulders until the final possession

Minnesota never gave up and found a way to extend the game thanks to Anthony Edwards’ three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in regulation. Denver still had a chance to end it immediately, but Jokic’s desperate shot didn’t fall. Game over? Not even close.

In overtime, Jokic still had fuel, ideas, and composure. He kept scoring, creating for his teammates, and controlling every key possession, once again proving why his way of interpreting basketball goes beyond traditional categories.

The quiet dominance of a one-of-a-kind player

Jokic’s laid-back personality is well known. He’s not the typical spotlight-seeking star, and the idea of playing on Christmas probably didn’t excite him all that much. Yet when it’s time to step on the court, the response is always the same: total dominance.

A performance that also sparked admiration from those who played the game at legendary levels. Charles Barkley didn’t mince words:

Watching this kid play basketball is an honor and a privilege

Charles Barkley

A sentence that perfectly sums up what Jokic represents for the NBA today: a transcendent talent, capable of making the extraordinary feel normal.

A Christmas gift that goes down in history

It’s not often you witness a 56-point triple-double – let alone on December 25. This game isn’t just a win for Denver, but a powerful reminder to the entire league: when Jokic decides to take everything, there are no easy solutions to stop him.

At this point, it makes you think the Nuggets really should thank him properly. Maybe with a horse. Or two. Or, why not, 56.