NBA Christmas: Spurs slap champs in the face twice in two days, Jokic counts to 56

When the management of the NBA league made a decision on which matches would be played on Christmas, they had a tough choice to make, as always. However, after seeing the "holiday clashes", the impression is that they couldn't have made a better selection.

The programme started in New York, where the Knicks created a genuine Christmas miracle, coming from behind after being 17 points down against Cleveland and winning the game 126-124.

The home crew triumphed mainly thanks to their three-point shot in key moments, led by Joe Hart, Jordan Clarkson, the little-known Steve Nash look-alike, Tyler Kolek, and, of course, Jalen Brunson, who poured on 34 points.

Among the Cavs, Donovan Mitchell scored as many points as Brunson, while Darius Garland had a double-double (20 points and ten assists).

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The clash in Oklahoma followed, and didn't disappoint at all. Moreover, we seem to have got a new rivalry in the making between the two young teams: the Thunder championship squad and the San Antonio Spurs' title-hungry crew.

The Texas franchise smashed the champs in their own home 117-102, beating them for the second time in two days and the third time in a row, though the yesterday's duel in San Antonio was an even easier task for Victor Wembanyama and Co. (130-110).

The game was full of tension, fire, and fight, as both sides - and especially the Spurs - were highly motivated, while Wembanyama followed every good move with a fierce reaction.

Apart from the Frenchman who finished the match with 19 points - as did Stephon Castle - De'Aaron Fox scored 29. Among the Thunder, the reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the best with 22 points.

Oklahoma still top the Western Conference table, though San Antonio follow them, trailing only two wins. Moreover, out of the five defeats the Thunder suffered this season, the Spurs handed them three!

Golden State easily crushed Dallas at home behind Steph Curry's 23 points - 126-116. Not even the fact that Cooper Flagg and Brandon Williams, who combined for 53 points, could help the Mavs.

In probably the least interesting game of the night, Houston demolished the Lakers in Los Angeles 119-96, led by Amen Thompson (26 points) and Kevin Durant (25 points). Among the LA crew, Luka Doncic was the most efficient with 25 points, while LeBron James followed with 18.

However, the NBA Christmas programme saved the best for last, as Denver and Minnesota played an incredible classic in which the Nuggets emerged victorious after overtime, 142-138.

Nikola Jokic put in another unbelievable performance, recording a triple-double with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, while Jamal Murray was his perfect sidekick, scoring 35 points. On the other hand, Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle combined for 76 points in the Timberwolves' ranks, but it wasn't enough.

This was the Serb's 179th career triple-double, and the fact that he missed only six field goals and one free throw deserves special recognition.

So, in the end, after such a thrilling NBA Christmas day, we can just say: More of the same, please!