NBA Christmas Roundup: Spurs complete Thunder sweep as Jokic delivers historic 56-point masterclass

The NBA’s annual Christmas showcase delivered drama, statement wins and record-breaking performances, headlined by San Antonio’s stunning dominance over Oklahoma City and a historic night from Nikola Jokic that will be remembered for decades.

From rising contenders to proven superstars, Christmas Day offered a snapshot of where the league stands as the season approaches its midway point.

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Spurs make Thunder their holiday victims again

Despite owning the NBA’s best record, the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to struggle against one opponent: the San Antonio Spurs.

On Thursday, San Antonio completed a remarkable 3-0 season sweep of the defending champions with a convincing 117-102 road win, handing Oklahoma City their first home loss in 15 games.

Superstar rookie Victor Wembanyama came off the bench in his first-ever Christmas appearance and made an immediate impact, posting 19 points and 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes. De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 29 points, while Stephon Castle added 19 in a balanced Spurs attack.

“It feels great getting another victory,” Fox said after the game. “My first Christmas game makes it even better.”

The Thunder burst out quickly, hitting their first seven shots to race into an early lead, but San Antonio flipped the script with an 11-0 run late in the first quarter and never relinquished control. The Spurs led 69-60 at halftime and stretched the advantage to 16 entering the final quarter.

Oklahoma City made a brief push early in the fourth but never truly threatened.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 22 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren both posted double-doubles. Still, it was another frustrating night against a Spurs team that has quietly surged to 23-7, second in the Western Conference.

“We treated this like a playoff series,” Wembanyama explained. “Playing them three times in 10 days taught us a lot.”

Knicks stun Cavaliers with furious Fourth-Quarter rally

At Madison Square Garden, Jalen Brunson delivered a Christmas classic, scoring 34 points to lead the New York Knicks to a dramatic 126-124 comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland appeared in full control late in the third quarter, leading by 17 points, before the Knicks erupted on a 40-21 run to steal the game. Brunson knocked down a decisive three-pointer with just over a minute remaining to seal the win.

The performance marked Brunson’s 90th 30-point game as a Knick, placing him behind only Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony in franchise history. Jordan Clarkson chipped in 25 points off the bench, while Donovan Mitchell matched Brunson with 34 in defeat for Cleveland.

Warriors outlast Mavericks in Bay Area battle

Golden State relied on depth rather than shooting brilliance to claim a 126-116 win over Dallas at Chase Center.

Stephen Curry scored 23 points despite an off night from beyond the arc, while seven Warriors reached double figures. Jimmy Butler nearly posted a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg shined on the big stage, pouring in a game-high 27 points and becoming the second-youngest Christmas starter in NBA history. However, the Mavericks were dealt a blow when Anthony Davis exited early with a suspected groin injury. Former Warrior Klay Thompson scored seven points in his emotional return to San Francisco.

Rockets cruise past Lakers in statement win

Houston delivered one of the day’s most one-sided results, routing the Los Angeles Lakers 119-96.

Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 26 points, while Kevin Durant added 25 and Alperen Sengun recorded a double-double. The Rockets controlled the game from start to finish, playing with urgency under the national spotlight.

For the Lakers, Luka Doncic scored 25 points, while LeBron James finished with 18 in his 20th Christmas Day appearance, extending his holiday record to 11-9. Austin Reaves left early with calf soreness, adding to Los Angeles’ concerns.

Jokic makes NBA history in Christmas Classic

The night’s defining moment came in Denver, where Nikola Jokic produced a legendary performance to lift the Nuggets to a 142-138 overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Related Article: Nikola Jokic makes NBA history as first center to average a triple-double for a season

Jokic exploded for 56 points, becoming the first player in NBA history to record 55+ points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a single game. His effort also ranked as the third-highest scoring performance ever on Christmas Day, trailing only Bernard King and Wilt Chamberlain.

Anthony Edwards matched him stride for stride with 44 points for Minnesota, but Jokic’s brilliance ultimately decided the contest.