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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 1/22/24

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

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