Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Julius Randle addresses the team's collapse in overtime vs the Denver Nuggets
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets matched up for the final game of the NBA's 2025 Christmas Day slate. Even though the NFL is now getting involved in playing games on Christmas, the NBA still proved that they remain the kings of the holiday with how the Timberwolves and Nuggets game ended.
A battle between two Western Conference contenders and two of the best stars, Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic, it was Jokic and the Nuggets who prevailed 142-138 in an overtime thriller. Jokic ended the game with a historic 56-point triple-double, but the Nuggets entered overtime and found themselves down nine with under three minutes remaining.
Julius Randle Speaks To Late Collapse
After jumping out to a 124-115 lead, the final three minutes were action-packed, with Jokic taking over for an all-time best 17 overtime points to pull out a victory. Speaking after the game, Timberwolves star Julius Randle addressed Denver's late comeback to put them away.
"Just got to be a little bit tighter on our defensive coverages. We gave Jokic wide-open threes, and we gave I think maybe Murray a three. We just got to be a little bit tighter and cleaner down the stretch with those coverages," Randle said.
What makes this all the more impressive for Denver was that the Timberwolves had all the momentum, making a 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter and then immediately jumping out to a nine-point lead in overtime. Both Edwards and Randle were stellar offensively, combining for 76 points (Edwards with 44 and Randle with 32).
However, the Nuggets' duo of Jokic and Jamal Murray was just better, combining for 91 points and 25 assists in the first game since losing Cameron Johnson for an extended period of time. Without three of their best players, the Nuggets are finding ways to win, even when it seems like all hope is lost.
What's Wrong With Minnesota?
The major issue that has been a recurring theme throughout the season continues to be the disparity in Rudy Gobert's on and off-court performances, as the Timberwolves struggle significantly when their defensive anchor isn't on the court. While Naz Reid is one of the top backup centers in the NBA, defense isn't his calling card.
The Timberwolves seem to have found their answer at point guard with Bones Hyland, who had 11 points and five assists off the bench, but might have to look at adding a defensive big to the rotation to better make do when Gobert is off the floor.
But at the end of the day, there's just no stopping Jokic sometimes.