Watch: Timberwolves' Towns caps wild scoring night in NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against the Charlotte Hornets in the second quarter at Target Center. Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns caps a wild scoring night in NBA

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jan 22, 2024 10:53 PM ET

The big men were feeling it on Monday.

On the same night 76ers center Joel Embiid set a career and franchise record with 70 points, Timberwolves power forward Karl-Anthony Towns also set a career-high with 62 points, albeit in a surprising 128-125 loss to the Hornets.

62 points for KAT ‼️

A new career high and Timberwolves franchise record

Hornets-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App
https://t.co/MUIzaNNsLN pic.twitter.com/K4Zzzyx4n1
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024

As StatMuse pointed out on social media, it had been a long time since two players scored at least 60 points on the same night.

The last time two players scored 60+ points on the same night:

— Bill Walton was MVP
— George Gervin was the scoring leader
— Wes Unseld was Finals MVP
— There were 22 NBA teams

And none of the active NBA players had been born. pic.twitter.com/IYNGeGSVTT
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 23, 2024

ESPN research producer Matt Williams shared it was on Apr. 9, 1978.

Today is the 1st day with multiple 60-point games since April 9, 1978:

David Thompson had 73 points

George Gervin had 63 points

There have never been multiple 65-point games on a single day in NBA history
— Matt Williams (@StatsWilliams) January 23, 2024

Per NBA History, it's only the fourth time it's ever happened.

This is the 4th instance in NBA history in which 2 players have recorded 60+ points on the same night:

01/22/2024 - Joel Embiid (70) & Karl-Anthony Towns (62)
04/09/1978 - David Thompson (73) & George Gervin (63)
01/17/1962 - Jerry West (63) & Wilt Chamberlain (62)
12/08/1961… pic.twitter.com/eS2rAXfGO0
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 23, 2024

Towns' full offensive game was on display as he became the first player in NBA history to have at least 10 two-point field goals, 10 threes and 10 free throws in a game.

Karl-Anthony Towns of the @Timberwolves is the first player in NBA history to make at least 10 three-pointers, 10 two-pointers and 10 free throws in a single game.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 23, 2024

He started the game 8-of-8 from downtown, including this 31-footer in the second quarter.

40 BURGER AND IT'S STILL BEFORE THE BREAK.

pic.twitter.com/3vPjBSvbNZ
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 23, 2024

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft had 58 points through three quarters but was quiet down the stretch, shooting 2-of-10 from the field in the fourth.

Karl-Anthony Towns by quarter:

1Q — 22 points | 8-10 FG
2Q — 22 points | 6-7 FG
3Q — 14 points | 5-8 FG
4Q — 4 points | 2-10 FG

The Wolves lost by three. https://t.co/h74PThYWZi
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 23, 2024

The result left a bitter taste in the Timberwolves' mouth, with his 62 points being the most in a loss since Suns guard Devin Booker scored 70 against the Celtics in 2017.

Karl-Anthony Towns tonight:

62 PTS (franchise record)
8 REB
10-14 3P

The most points in a loss since Devin Booker’s 70 ball. https://t.co/h74PThYWZi
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 23, 2024

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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