Not all career highs are created equal.
Some, like Joel Embiid’s 70-point scoring outburst against the Spurs, are adorned in sugar, spice and everything nice. Embiid was shrouded with praise for his dominant display, the Sixers’ big man proving undaunted by the challenge of facing the sport’s present and future in San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama.
Embiid was paraded for the masses to see. Karl-Anthony Towns received no such treatment.
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On the same night of Embiid’s record-shattering showcase, Towns had one of his own. The Timberwolves star dropped 62 points — 44 of which came in the first half — against a hapless Hornets defense.
With his explosion, Towns set a new franchise record for points in a single game.
KAT left it all on the floor, including scoring 44 1H PTS and knocking down 10 triples on way to a new career high of 62.
Towns becomes the first player in NBA history with 10+ 3PM, 10+ 2PM, and 10+ FTM in a game. pic.twitter.com/o6EoQtnpSg
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
There was but one problem, though: Minnesota lost, surrendering an 18-point lead to fall 128-125 to 10-31 Charlotte.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was not pleased with his team’s effort. He made sure to make it known to reporters after the affair, blasting Minnesota for what he called an “absolute disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball.”
“There was a lot of immature performances here throughout the roster,” Finch said. “We totally disrespected the game, ourselves, and we got exactly what we deserved.”
Towns shimmered in the first half, looking like a basketball marvel under the glittery Target Center lights. He hit 14 of his first 17 shot attempts, helping the Wolves overcome an unusually quiet Anthony Edwards showing to pull out in front.
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According to Edwards, the lights got too bright for Finch’s squad as the second half wore on. The reason why? Minnesota was too concerned with getting Towns his stats.
“Once he hit his first six, seven shots, I think everybody was pretty much just trying to see him go get a hundred points,” Edwards said. “I know I was. I think all of us wanted to see him get 80 or whatever it was. We’ll learn from it, though.”
Towns netted just four points in the fourth quarter. An unsuccessful desperation 3, coupled with a driving layup attempt that was swatted away in the game’s final seconds, ensured that he became one of just 10 players to drop 60 points in a loss.
It’s not a list Towns wants to be on.
“Having a night like that on a loss doesn’t feel very good or historic,” Towns said. “We’re No. 1 in the West, one of the best teams in NBA; there ain’t no time for moral victories, silver linings, ‘great night, but just not a finish we wanted.’ We’ve got to find a way to win.”