{"id":373293,"date":"2025-12-26T16:04:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T16:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/373293\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T16:04:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T16:04:17","slug":"a-classic-christmas-jokic-ant-duel-in-ot-knicks-come-back-spurs-drop-okc-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/373293\/","title":{"rendered":"A Classic Christmas: Joki\u0107 & Ant duel in OT, Knicks come back, Spurs drop OKC (again)"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Nikola Joki\u0107: 56 points, 16 rebounds, 15 assists.<\/p>\n

A stat line never achieved before.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Christmas classic that will live in basketball lore.<\/p>\n

\"Nikola<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Dec. 26, 2025<\/p>\n

Merry Masterpiece: Joki\u0107 caps a historic OT thriller with a timeless takeover<\/p>\n

New Spurs Statement:\u00a0San Antonio beats OKC for 3rd time in\u00a02 weeks, hands champs 1st home loss<\/p>\n

True Believers: Heart, hustle and more holiday magic sparks Knicks rally at MSG<\/p>\n

Christmas In Cali: Warriors overcome Flagg\u2019s big day, Rockets outpace Lakers in L.A.<\/p>\n

Tonight On Prime: Maxey & Giddey go toe-to-toe, Kawhi & Clips streak into Portland<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

An epic Christmas and more hoops to unbox tonight\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

Nine games tip off on Friday, highlighted by a Prime doubleheader as the Bulls host the Sixers (7:30 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), before the Clippers visit the Blazers (10 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Name Your All-Stars:\u00a0Fans can vote for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters every day through Jan. 14 using their NBA ID. Make it count, vote now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. JOKI\u0106 MAKES HISTORY IN INSTANT CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
\n\"Nikola<\/p>\n

Garrett Ellwood\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Christmas Day opened with a 17-point 4th-quarter comeback at MSG. Twelve hours later, the Wolves found themselves down 15 in Denver with 5:45 left.<\/p>\n

What transpired over the next hour was pure basketball bliss. A game that refused to end. Superstars who refused to fold. Holiday hoops at its peak.<\/p>\n

The night crescendoed into an all-time Christmas classic \u2013 punctuated by an all-time performance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Nuggets 142, Wolves 138 (OT): Minnesota roared back with a 16-2 run late in the 4th, but still trailed by 3 with four seconds to play.<\/p>\n

With one last chance to tie it, the Wolves turned to Anthony Edwards, who received the inbound, spun, rose and splashed a fadeaway 3 with 1.1 ticks left to force OT<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Bart Young + Garrett Ellwood\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Ant didn\u2019t stop there, igniting a 9-0 run to open overtime, capped by another 3 to hit 40 points on the night.<\/p>\n

But then Nikola Joki\u0107 went somewhere else entirely. Already with a 38-point triple-double, the Joker entered a new dimension in the extra frame, dropping 18 points to will Denver back and outduel Edwards (44 pts, 6 reb, 5 3s) in a record-setting Christmas thriller<\/a>. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Never Before: Joki\u0107 finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists \u2013 marking the first 55\/15\/15 game in NBA history
\nHoliday Heat: He did it on 15-of-21 shooting (71.4%), while going 22-of-23 from the line and 4-of-6 from deep
\nOT Takeover: He shot 100% from the field in OT, including two 3s to ignite a 16-4 run<\/a>, before sinking his last 8 free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the win
\n\u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable<\/a>,\u201d said Peyton Watson on Joki\u0107 postgame. \u201cThere\u2019s no way we can take for granted what he did tonight \u2013 and every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Nikola<\/p>\n

Ultimate Stocking Stuffer: Joki\u0107 started the night with more records, piling up 23 points, 8 boards and 7 assists in the 1st half \u2013 numbers no player had ever tallied in any half on Christmas since play-by-play data was first tracked in 1998-99.<\/p>\n

With 7:24 left in the 3rd quarter, he recorded his 15th triple-double of the season \u2013 the fastest triple-double in a Christmas Day game and his ninth this year before the 4th quarter.<\/p>\n

By night\u2019s end, he had dropped a holiday haul for the ages.<\/p>\n

All-Time Eruption: Joki\u0107\u2019s 56 points are the 3rd-most in a Christmas Day game \u2013 and the most in 41 years \u2013 trailing only Bernard King (60 in 1984) and Wilt Chamberlain (59 in \u201861)
\nAll-Time Impact: Not to mention his 15 dimes, as he accounted for 96 of Denver\u2019s points \u2013 the 2nd-most by any player in a game in the play-by-play era
\nXmas X-Factor: That orchestration led to a Christmas Day record nine 3s from Jamal Murray (35 pts, 10 ast), who combined for 91 points with Joki\u0107
\nQuadruple 30s: Julius Randle added 32 for Minnesota, marking just the second Christmas game ever with two 30+ point scorers on both teams<\/p>\n

\"Jamal<\/p>\n

Bart Young + Garrett Ellwood\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Final Gift: It all culminated in a 50-point overtime \u2013 the highest-scoring OT in NBA history: 27 from Denver, 23 from Minnesota, 18 from the Joker and one night we\u2019ll never forget.<\/p>\n

\u201c56\/16\/15 \u2026 his statline is crazy,\u201d said Nuggets coach David Adelman postgame. \u201cBut the reason being is he makes the right play all the time\u2026
\n\u201cJust don\u2019t get tired of this. He\u2019s the best player in the world, bottom line \u2026 What he does nightly, it\u2019s important for the game of basketball \u2013 it\u2019s good for sports<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. SPURS EXTEND STREAK WITH ANOTHER WIN OVER OKC<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

They did it in Las Vegas in the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals.<\/p>\n

They did it in San Antonio in Tuesday\u2019s rematch.<\/p>\n

On Christmas Day,\u00a0on OKC\u2019s home floor\u00a0\u2014\u00a0in a showdown of the top 2 teams in the West\u00a0\u2014\u00a0the Spurs did it again.<\/p>\n

Spurs 117, Thunder 102: In their third meeting in 13 days, San Antonio moved to 3-0 against OKC<\/a> \u2013 this time, handing the defending champs their first home loss of the season behind De\u2019Aaron Fox\u2019s 29 points and 19 apiece from Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Spurs Surge: Fox dropped 21 points in the 1st half, as the Spurs jumped out to a 69-60 lead at the break \u2013 marking the most 1st-half points OKC has allowed all season
\nDuality of San: Then the Spurs flexed their defensive muscle, using a 26-19 3rd quarter \u2013 OKC\u2019s 2nd-lowest scoring quarter of the year \u2013 to take firm control, with Wemby directing traffic<\/a> and disrupting look after look
\nLight The Tree: That 3rd quarter ended in style as Keldon Johnson finished a monster putback to put San Antonio up 16 \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\"Keldon<\/p>\n

Christmas Close: When OKC cut its deficit to 9 early in the 4th, the Spurs answered with one final push, as a Wemby trey sparked a 9-3 burst to push the lead back to 15 \u2013 silencing the Paycom Center for San Antonio\u2019s eighth straight win.<\/p>\n

Giant Slayers: The Spurs are the first team to beat the Thunder in three consecutive matchups since the 2023-24 season
\nGiant Numbers: OKC has dropped just two other games all year, with a 26-2 record and a +16.8 average point differential against the rest of the NBA
\nGiant Statements:\u00a0In its three matchups vs. Oklahoma City, the Spurs are +12.3, including back-to-back 15+ point dubs<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

League On Notice: To be the best, you have to beat the best. San Antonio has done that not once, not twice, but three times in two weeks \u2013 flipping a budding rivalry on its head.<\/p>\n

In real time, the Spurs have sprouted from a promising young squad to legit contenders \u2013 just 2.5 games back of OKC for 1st out West.<\/p>\n

Against the defending champs, with the stakes raised, their young core has risen every time.<\/p>\n

Castle Cooking: Castle paired his 19 points with 7 dimes. He\u2019s now averaging 21.7 ppg against the Thunder this season
\nHarper Humming: After 10 assists against OKC on Tuesday, Dylan Harper scored 12 on 5-of-8 shooting while helping limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 22 points
\nAlien Impact: Wemby finished with a double-double while manning the middle (19 pts, 11 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk<\/a>) as OKC was held to just 39% shooting \u2013 dropping to 14-1 at home
\n\u201cIt\u2019s an embodiment of the efforts and sweat we [put in] for months,\u201d said Wembanyama on the Spurs\u2019 emergence. \u201cEach game is so intense and takes so much from you \u2026 the reward is incredible<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. CHRISTMAS COMEBACK: KNICKS RALLY PAST CAVS AT MSG
\n\"Jalen<\/p>\n

Nathaniel S. Butler\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

With under 11 minutes to play and down by 17 points, the Knicks were facing just their third home loss this season.<\/p>\n

Then The Garden\u00a0witnessed the first Christmas Day comeback of 2025 \u2014 and one of the biggest in the day\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Knicks 126, Cavaliers 124:\u00a0New York\u2019s 42-point 4th quarter \u2013 sparked by 13 pts from Jalen Brunson, 11 from Tyler Kolek and 4 offensive boards from Mitchell Robinson \u2013 sparked its biggest comeback of the season and 3rd largest in Christmas Day history (play-by-play era). | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Stars Shine: Top-5 scorers Donovan Mitchell (7 reb, 6 ast, 4 3s) and Brunson (6 3s) granted every Christmas wish<\/a>, leading all scorers with dueling 34-point performances and combining for 28 4th-quarter points.
\nHoliday Bonus: Jordan Clarkson added 25 points with five 3s off the bench, tying JR Smith (2012) for the most Knicks\u2019 points off the bench on Christmas
\nClutch Kolek: The Knicks\u2019 sparkplug (16 pts, 9 ast, +24) chased down Mitchell on a break with under 2 minutes left & NYK down 1, blocking the dunk attempt and\u00a0allowing New York to retake the lead next time down<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

The Knicks then took control in a thrilling, final-minute sequence<\/a> bookended by Karl-Anthony Towns\u2019 putback and an OG Anunoby slam off slick press-breaking ball movement.<\/p>\n

Christmas Crown: Mitchell\u2019s 34 points match LeBron (2003) for most Cavs points on Christmas, and added one more poster slam<\/a> to his stocking
\nCavs Cavalry: Darius Garland added 20 points and 10 assists, while Evan Mobley had 14 points and 9 rebounds in his first action in five games (calf)
\nDunk The Halls: Here\u2019s how this back-and-forth thriller looked on \u201cDunk The Halls,\u201d Disney\u2019s live-animation<\/a> simulcast, with Mickey filling Spida\u2019s shoes to drop the hammer<\/a> on everybody<\/p>\n

4. CHRISTMAS IN CALI: DUBS OVERCOME FLAGG, ROCKETS TOP LAKERS<\/p>\n

\"Steph<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re special,\u201d said Steph Curry yesterday of Christmas Day games. \u201cIt\u2019s a great honor [to play] \u2026 I don\u2019t ever take it for granted. It is a different energy<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steph brought that same energy to the floor.<\/p>\n

Warriors 126, Mavericks 116: Curry led seven Warriors in double figures with 23 points and 4 dimes<\/a>, helping spark a 40-28 1st quarter as the Dubs took an early lead and slammed the door late to beat the Mavs, despite Cooper Flagg\u2019s big Christmas debut (27 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast). | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Jimmy Buckets, Horford Heat: Jimmy Butler III added a near triple-double (14 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast), while Al Horford scored 11 of his 14 points in the 1st quarter, where he nailed three 3s
\nSteph Hits 26K: Steph became the 22nd player in league history to hit 26,000 career points amid the win \u2013 Golden State\u2019s third in a row
\nSplash Bros Reunite: Klay Thompson linked with Steph<\/a> pregame before scoring 7 against his former team, which he helped guide to four championships. Curry spoke on the reunion postgame<\/a>
\nCoop\u2019s Big Christmas: Flagg dazzled on the holiday stage, joining LeBron as the only players 19 or younger to drop 25+ points on Christmas
\n\u201cJust a true hooper,\u201d said Curry on Flagg after facing him for the first time. \u201cCompetitor. We forget how young he is \u2026 the league is in good hands<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

Rockets 119, Lakers 96: In his Christmas debut, Amen Thompson (26 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast) showed out alongside Kevin Durant<\/a> (25 pts, 8 ast, 2 blk), leading the Rockets to a wire-to-wire win over Luka Don\u010di\u0107 (25 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast) and the Lakers in Los Angeles. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Amen Amazing: Thompson\u2019s athleticism \u2013 and acrobatics<\/a> \u2013 were on full display as he joined James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only Rockets to post 25\/5\/5 on Christmas
\nSengun & Smith: Alperen Sengun added a double-double (14 pts, 12 reb), while Jabari Smith Jr. notched 16 points and 7 boards
\nHouston Hustle: The Rockets, who lead the league in offensive rebounds, collected 14 boards on the offensive glass, leading to 15 2nd-chance points and their first Christmas dub since 2018
\nChristmas King: LeBron James let it snow<\/a> ahead of his 20th Christmas Day game, before notching 18 points, 5 boards, 2 steals and 1 block for Los Angeles<\/p>\n

5. TONIGHT ON PRIME: BULLS HOST SIXERS, CLIPS VISIT BLAZERS
\n\"Josh<\/p>\n

Adam Hagy + Jeff Haynes\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

It\u2019s quickly becoming a season to remember for Tyrese Maxey.<\/p>\n

The 6th-year guard is on pace for career-best numbers in points, rebounds and assists, among other statistical categories. He\u2019s two years removed from winning Kia Most Improved Player of the Year.<\/p>\n

Tonight (7:30 ET, Prime), Maxey can maintain the momentum.<\/p>\n

The 76ers are poised to face the Bulls in an East battle. Philadelphia is picking up steam with seven victories in its last 11 outings, and now hits the road for a five-game trip.<\/p>\n

To The Max: Boasting 31.0 ppg \u2014 3rd-most in the league \u2014 as well as 4.5 rpg and 6.9 apg, Maxey has excelled in a leadership role
\nEmergent Embiid: A seven-time All-Star has played alongside him. Joel Embiid has averaged 29.3 ppg while shooting 50% from the field in his last three games<\/p>\n

Chicago enters this matchup following back-to-back, two-point victories over Atlanta. Its winning streak now stands at four, thanks to two previous wins over Cleveland.<\/p>\n

Bull On Parade: Josh Giddey produced a 19\/11\/15 triple-double on Tuesday to secure his 7th this season \u2013 the 2nd-most in the NBA behind Nikola Joki\u0107\u2019s 14
\nClose Calls: The Bulls sit 2.5 games shy of the Magic for 6th place in the East, while the 76ers are half a game behind the Raptors<\/p>\n

\"Deni<\/p>\n

In the West, the Clippers and Trail Blazers will go toe-to-toe (10 ET, Prime). LA\u2019s first three-game winning streak of 2025-26 is on the line after defeats of the Lakers and Rockets.<\/p>\n

The Klaw: Kawhi Leonard is fresh off his first 40+ point effort since 2023, scoring 41 on Tuesday with 16-for-23 shooting in a 20-point victory over the Rockets
\nHot On The Trail: For Portland, Deni Avdija has pitched in 25.5 ppg and 6.6 apg \u2014 both career-bests \u2014 to make things happen offensively<\/p>\n

On League Pass, Cade Cunningham and the top-seeded Pistons pay a visit to the Jazz (9:30 ET). The Grizzlies, meanwhile, can secure a 9th victory in their last 13 games when the Bucks come to town (8 ET).<\/p>\n

Heat at Hawks (7 ET)
\nHornets at Magic (7 ET)
\nRaptors at Wizards (7 ET)
\nCeltics at Pacers (7 ET)
\nSuns at Pelicans (8 ET)<\/p>\n