In a perfect example of a team trumping an individual, the Charlotte Hornets played spoiler to a big night from Karl-Anthony Towns, taking a surprise 128-125 road win in Minnesota Tuesday (PHL).
Miles Bridges led the way for the Hornets with 28 points and five boards. Brandon Miller helped him out and added 27 markers, while LaMelo Ball chipped in 18 points alongside 13 assists for a strong Hornets victory.
Charlotte outscored the Timberwolves 36-18 in the fourth, spoiling 62 points from KAT, which are a career-high and a new franchise-high for Minnesota.
Towns scored 44 points in the first half, setting up the Wolves for what should have been a big win.62 points for KAT ??
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
A new career high and Timberwolves franchise record 👏
Hornets-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/MUIzaNNsLN pic.twitter.com/K4Zzzyx4n1
A HISTORIC 44-POINT HALF FROM KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
🔥 44 PTS
🔥 14-17 FGM
🔥 8-9 3PM
The 4th most points scored in a half in the play-by-play era (1997-98).
Hornets-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/MUIzaNNsLN pic.twitter.com/bebBEw09Uz
But as the Hornets made their big push, Towns was limited to just four points in the fourth. One of his drives for the lead late was snuffed, and his long desperation three for the tie in the final seconds was short.
It was a notable night of basketball nonetheless, since this is the fourth time in NBA history in which two players recorded 60+ points on the same game day. Joel Embiid early exploded for 70 points and broke Wilt Chamberlain's franchise record for the Philadelphia 76ers.The Charlotte Hornets ruined KAT's 62-point night by outscoring the Wolves 36-18 in the 4th quarter and winning by 3!! pic.twitter.com/ElCEfRnOxn
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 23, 2024
But for now, it's Charlotte's night.This is the 4th instance in NBA history in which 2 players have recorded 60+ points on the same night:
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 23, 2024
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
It was our night 🕺 #LetsFly35 | @GEICO pic.twitter.com/0Z0WJHdc1u
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 23, 2024
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
