All Timberwolves

Christmas OT thriller as Jokic explodes, Ant hits tying 3 before ejection

The Christmas thriller had everything imaginable, except a Timberwolves victory.
Joe Nelson|
Dec 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts to a flagrant foul called in overtime against the against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Dec 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts to a flagrant foul called in overtime against the against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

In this story:

Minnesota Timberwolves

The performance of the year might've coincided with the game of the year in the NBA, as the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from a 16-point deficit to force overtime, only to blow a nine-point lead with three minutes to go in overtime and lose to the Denver Nuggets, 142-138, on Christmas night.

Nikola Jokic became the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double with at least 50 points, 15 assists, and 15 rebounds. He finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists, while shooting 15 of 21 from the floor and 22 of 23 at the free-throw line.

The game was filled with incredible moments, perhaps none brighter than Anthony Edwards' game-tying three-pointer with 1.1 seconds to go from the corner to force overtime. His catch-and-shoot, turnaround three, completed a rally that saw Minnesota tie the game after trailing 106-91 with under six minutes to play.

Overtime was madness.

Edwards, who finished with 44 points, buried a three to give the Wolves a 124-115 lead with 2:59 remaining. The Nuggets called a timeout, and they responded by hitting threes on three consecutive possessions, including two by Jokic, to cut the deficit to 126-124 with 2:01 to play.

Denver wound up scoring 27 points in overtime after being outscored 9-0 in the first two minutes. Jokic had 18 of his 56 points in overtime.

That's not all. With 30 seconds to play, Edwards was ejected when he was whistled for his second technical foul when he messed with Jokic — grabbing his hands — as Jokic was preparing to shoot free throws. Edwards earned his first technical foul earlier in the game when he slapped the ball out of bounds to delay the game.

As Edwards exited the court, he appeared to point at the three referees in an act of disagreement. He was, in fact, ejected in a three-point game with 30 seconds to go in overtime of a nationally televised game on Christmas Day.

Minnesota was called for 27 fouls compared to 18 for Denver, though the Nuggets only attempted two more free throws than the Wolves, 32 to 30.

More Timberwolves coverage

Published
Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

Share on XFollow JoeyBrainstorm
Home/Minnesota Timberwolves News