Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a record-breaking performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves with 62 points, including an impressive 44 in the first half. However, his efforts were overshadowed as the Charlotte Hornets made a remarkable comeback from an 18-point deficit to snatch a 128-125 victory during Monday’s NBA action.
Despite Towns’ historic scoring, he struggled in the final quarter, managing only four points on 2-10 shooting. His frustration was evident in the game’s closing moments when he believed he was fouled on a critical drive to the basket.
The game concluded with Towns’ unsuccessful 3-point attempt, leaving him disappointed despite his success.
“Having a night like that on a loss doesn’t feel very good or historic,” Towns said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller led the charge for the Hornets, scoring 28 and 27 points, respectively. A crucial defensive play by Leaky Black, stripping the ball from Towns, helped seal Charlotte’s 10th win.
“Luckily, (Towns) started missing at the end,” Bridges said. “There’s not too much you can do with a 7-footer that can shoot the ball as good as he does. … It’s tough for him. Obviously, he’s having a great night and you want to win that game, but at the same time, it’s a team game, so we we had to spoil his night a little bit. KAT is a great player, but it was our night.”
The Hornets, struggling with seven losses in their previous eight games, showed resilience to turn the tide in their favor.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Towns’ remarkable shooting night, where he went 21 for 35, including 10 for 15 from beyond the arc, they marked the highest scoring outputs in the Timberwolves’ 35-year history. Bridges acknowledged the challenge of containing Towns but emphasized the importance of team play in their victory.
In a pivotal moment, Black stopped Towns and secured the win with crucial free throws. Towns’ final attempt from the 3-point line added to the statistic of players scoring 60 or more points in a loss, a rare feat in the history of the NBA.
Towns expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the team’s ambition to maintain their top position in the Western Conference and their focus on winning games.
“There’s no moral victories,” Towns said. “It was cool when we were saying that when we were 15-30 (in previous seasons).
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Despite their lower offensive rating, the Hornets shot a season-high 58.1% from the floor. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch criticized the team’s defensive effort and overall maturity in the game.
“It was an absolute disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball all through the game,” Finch said.
LaMelo Ball made a significant contribution for Charlotte with 18 points and 13 assists after returning from a one-game absence. The Hornets, dealing with injuries, had to adjust their lineup, starting a smaller frontcourt.
Looking ahead, the Hornets are set to face the Detroit Pistons, while the Timberwolves will play against the Washington Wizards in their upcoming games.
