We just witnessed the greatest individual Christmas Day performance in NBA history, and it wasn't particularly close.

Nikola Jokic dropped 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists as the Denver Nuggets outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-138 in overtime. Those numbers don't do it justice. The Joker went completely nuclear when his team needed him most, carrying a depleted roster through one of the most entertaining games of the season.

The Quick Hit

• What happened: Jokic posted 56-16-15 in an OT win over Minnesota on Christmas Day
• The damage: First player in NBA history to record 55+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 15+ assists in a single game
• Why you should care: This is the third-highest scoring game on Christmas Day ever, behind only Wilt (59) and Bernard King (60)
• The bonus: He set the NBA record for overtime points with 18, breaking Steph Curry's mark

The Numbers Are Absolutely Stupid

Let's break down what Jokic did, because reading it once doesn't capture the absurdity.

He shot 15-of-21 from the field. That's 71 percent. While scoring 56 points. With 16 rebounds. And 15 assists. He went 22-of-23 from the free throw line, which is the kind of efficiency that should be illegal.

By the third quarter, Joker had already recorded his 179th career triple-double, putting him two shy of Oscar Robertson for second place in NBA history. At this point, he's going to pass the Big O sometime in January and then start chasing Russell Westbrook's record of 199.

The Context Makes It Even Better

Denver was down three starters. Aaron Gordon is dealing with a hamstring issue. Christian Braun is nursing an ankle injury. Peyton Watson hyperextended his knee just two days earlier in Dallas.

So Jokic looked around the locker room, saw what was available, and said "Fine, I'll do it myself." Jamal Murray helped with 35 points, including the go-ahead three with 35 seconds left in overtime, but make no mistake: this was the Jokic show from start to finish.

Anthony Edwards Lost His Mind

Speaking of overtime, Anthony Edwards had himself a game too. He dropped 44 points and was matching Jokic shot for shot down the stretch. It was turning into an all-time Christmas duel.

And then Edwards got ejected in overtime for arguing foul calls.

The Timberwolves' best player, in the most critical moments of a rivalry game on the biggest stage of the regular season, got tossed for losing his cool. Minnesota had zero answers for Jokic after that. Edwards will probably watch this game back and want to throw his TV out the window.

Why This Matters For Your Bets

If you're still betting against Jokic in big spots, you're just lighting money on fire. The man is a walking triple-double who can drop 50 whenever he feels like it. The Nuggets were shorthanded, playing on Christmas, against a team that bounced them from the playoffs last year.

Jokic responded with the most dominant statistical game in Christmas Day history.

The over hit easily at 232.5, pushed into the 280s with overtime included. Nuggets +2 was never in doubt once Jokic decided the game wasn't ending in regulation. Player props on Jokic points went absolutely nuclear for anyone who had the foresight to believe he'd go off.

The Bottom Line

What Nikola Jokic did on Christmas Day will be remembered forever. The first 55-15-15 game in league history. A new overtime scoring record. The third-highest Christmas Day point total ever. All while carrying a depleted roster against a motivated rival.

This is MVP-level basketball on steroids. If you had the Nuggets or any Jokic props, Merry Christmas to you. For Timberwolves bettors who watched Edwards get ejected? That's the kind of bad beat that haunts you into the new year.