The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns battled until 2 AM to give NBA fans the best game of the Christmas Games slate. The final game of the night saw the two Western Conference contenders lock horns in a back-and-forth battle which the Nuggets won in overtime.
The Suns lost Devin Booker early in the first quarter and were playing with their backs against the wall. However, inspired performances from Landry Shamet and Damion Lee helped the Suns keep pace with the Nuggets, who were being led by a monster 41-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic.
Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon excelled at the end of the game to close the win out for the Nuggets and fans stayed up late to ensure they don’t miss this classic game.
Fought till the end. pic.twitter.com/Mg6DvLnL7q
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 26, 2022
Nikola Jokic tonight:
41 Points
15 Rebounds
15 Assists
64% FG pic.twitter.com/H1NcYuzC6i
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 26, 2022
Jokic plays beautiful basketball…
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) December 26, 2022
Nikola Jokic was feeling festive tonight against the Suns, going for a triple-double in the Nuggets win.
His 41 points are the most by a Nuggets player on Christmas Day, and the most by any player in a triple-double on Christmas. pic.twitter.com/7gXF00KA2P
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 26, 2022
Jokic says it all pic.twitter.com/qpKPaLDWMS
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 26, 2022
Thought voters fatigue would stop Jokic’s 3peat MVP but he putting up 2k myplayer stat lines now pic.twitter.com/RbNWvUoUWn
— Mike (@MikeAdxx) December 26, 2022
It's a "Happy Christmas" for Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets 🎄😁 pic.twitter.com/FZtbCAyKCH
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 26, 2022
Nikola Jokic's week (four Nuggets wins):
41 points, 15 rebounds, 15 assists
29 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists
13 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists
40 points, 27 rebounds, 10 assists
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 26, 2022
I gotta cherish what Jokic is currently doing, 40 point triple doubles be happening naturally.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) 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
https://twitter.com/nbaayy/status/1607264302939123713
Going to be fun seeing Jokić get his third straight MVP. Will be rising up those all-time ranks if it happens. Should be no question he's first right now.
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) December 26, 2022
Jokic is the funniest player, you can play perfect defense on him and he’ll hit the most awkward looking shot of all time right over you
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) December 26, 2022
Jokic stole Christmas Day and represented for all the Wack Bodies around the world… serving the Suns a casual 41-15-15 with the W!!! Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 26, 2022
 Nikola Jokic has now scored the most points in any triple-double on Christmas Day in NBA history
— Jorge Sedano 🐺 (@Sedano) December 26, 2022
AARON GORDON SENDS LANDRY SHAMET TO HELLhttps://t.co/LgQ0rZbvQo pic.twitter.com/aCt3HauRcx
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 26, 2022
Here’s where I’m at with the Suns: Devin Booker is the only person I would not trade.
Outside of that, please get me basketball players that can fucking dribble and score by themselves.
I’m tired of watching a 60 year old CP3, Dumbinayton, and James Jones clones.
— LEEZUS (@AndrewLeezus) December 26, 2022
Chris Paul not coming through when it matters? pic.twitter.com/RD0CZFleuV
— Colb (@___Colb___) December 26, 2022
Chris Paul has never been the same since that playoff series vs Dallas
— robert henry muse (@MavsBase) December 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/HoopistNBA/status/1607266880150175744
If Jokic is to win his third consecutive MVP this season, this game might be one of the biggest examples of why he deserves it. His importance to a winning team like the Nuggets cannot be overstated. He has to be among the top 3 in the award race right now, especially after recent slumps from other contenders.
Is Nikola Jokic Going To Make MVP History?
Jokic is proving that he might still be the best player in the NBA despite people clamoring for a new MVP this year. The Nuggets have risen to the top of the extremely competitive West and Jokic’s incredible contributions are the reason why. He is getting triple-doubles effortlessly and is one of the most efficient scorers in the league.
If he can continue this energy coming into 2023 and maintain it to ensure the Nuggets are a definite 1 seed, it’ll be hard to deny him. Jayson Tatum made a strong leap today as well with his performance against MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, while Luka Doncic is looking to improve the Mavs record to bring himself back into the race. It won’t be easy for the Joker, but he’ll do his best to make sure the trophy and 1 seed is his.
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