The Denver Broncos and Nuggets won on Christmas Day, and in tough, gritty fashion.
It was the first time both teams won on Christmas, and each of them are enjoying what could be championship seasons.
If you’re a sports fan in the Mile High City, last night was must-see TV.
Denver Broncos, Nuggets win in best-ever Christmas Day for sports fans
The Denver Broncos narrowly defeated divisional rival Kansas City 20-13, while the Denver Nuggets needed overtime to beat their divisional foes the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-138.
The night began in Kansas City, with the Broncos facing the Chiefs, and with the home team looking to play The Grinch against Denver. They wanted to spoil the Broncos chances of taking home the No. 1 seed and even winning the AFC West; both of which are now still in play for Sean Payton’s team.
Despite having third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun playing, and multiple other starters placed on Injured Reserve this week, the Chiefs weren’t rolling over. They played the Broncos tough, even if Denver statistically dominated the contest.
In true 2025 Broncos fashion, this Christmas game was close throughout and came down to the final seconds.
Denver led early, but then Kansas City was helped by a Bo Nix interception and took the 7-3 lead. The Broncos wrestled the lead back in the late third quarter when Nix ran in a touchdown.
K.C. kept battling and tied it up at 13-13, leaving Nix and the Broncos to find a way to drive and score a touchdown late. Out of the 2-minute warning, Denver acted like they were going to go for it on 4th-and-2 from the Chiefs 9, and got All-Pro Chris Jones to jump offsides. Three plays later, Nix found RJ Harvey in the back of the end zone for the game-winning score.
“Here’s the thing. It doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing to be effective. I’ve said that before,” Sean Payton explained after the tough win. “That’s all that’s important.”
Like many games this season, there was a sigh of relief at the end. Denver was favored by 12.5 points and had to claw and fight to eke out the victory. But a win is a win, and they’re never easy to get against a divisional opponent.
Broncos Country got a great present with the win. They swept the Chiefs for the first time since 2014 and set an NFL record with 12 comeback victories in a season.
Christmas Nightcap: Denver downs Minnesota in OT
The gifts just kept coming last night, and if you weren’t too tired from waking up early to unwrap presents, you were in for a dandy.
The Nuggets and Timberwolves started late and went until nearly midnight, and the Joker delivered gifts all night long.
It was arguably the greatest individual game in Christmas history, as Nikola Jokic scored 56 points, with 16 rebounds, and 15 assists. He became the third player to have multiple triple-doubles on Christmas, and it was the first time someone put a stat line that impressive together in any game.
Denver and Minnesota played each other closely in the first half, but Jamal Murray had 11 points in the 3rd quarter alone and the Nuggets led by 14 by the end of the period.
The T-Wolves didn’t quit, though. Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle led their offensive effort for most of the 4th quarter until Anthony Edwards went off. He scored 11 in the final 3:01, including the game-tying 3-pointer, to take it to overtime.
Edwards and Co. stayed hot and went on a 9-0 run to start overtime.
That’s when Jokic took over.
He hit two straight 3-pointers, made an off-balance 5-footer in the lane, and went 10-11 from the charity stripe in overtime alone. Jokic set a new NBA record with 18 points in overtime, taking the record from Steph Curry (17, 2016).
“We’re watching history on a nightly basis,” Peyton Watson said of Jokic’s game.
While sports is a world of hyperbole, there’s no questioning that Nikola Jokic is the greatest basketball player in the world right now. And he has been for five years.
The Nuggets beat the T-Wolves on a night when Ant Man scored 44 before being ejected late in OT. Murray hit a Christmas Day record 9 3-pointers, and he and Jokic combined for a shocking 91 points.
Considering the Thunder lost to the Spurs last night, and Jokic put together an historically great game, the Joker may have just pulled ahead of SGA in the MVP race.
Christmas Day was the NBA’s alone for many years until the NFL decided it wanted a piece of the pie five years ago. And while it’s a special time to be with family, if you were able to get the TV on and watch the Broncos and Nuggets, you witnessed the greatest Christmas Day in Denver sports history.
Denver Broncos, Nuggets win to mark best Christmas sports day ever for Mile High City Mile High Sports.
Hence then, the article about denver broncos nuggets win to mark best christmas sports day ever for mile high city was published today ( ) and is available on Mile High Sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Denver Broncos, Nuggets win to mark best Christmas sports day ever for Mile High City )
Also on site :
- SA20 2025-26: Full schedule, squads, live streaming and all you need to know
- Egypt v South Africa live: Bafana Bafana face tricky test against Salah and co at Africa Cup of Nations
- Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code MHS250BM: Claim New $250 Bonus for NBA Games This Weekend