Karl-Anthony Towns Drops Wolves Record 62, Thrills LeBron James, NBA Fans vs. Hornets

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 23, 2024

Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images

If you thought Joel Embiid was going to be the only NBA big man to make history Monday night, think again.

As the Philadelphia 76ers star was busy scoring a franchise-record 70 points in a win over the San Antonio Spurs, Karl-Anthony Towns was setting records of his own for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Towns poured in 44 points in just the first half of his team’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, which was a record for the play-by-play era that dates back to the 1996-97 campaign.

He ended up with 62 points on 21-of-35 shooting from the field and 10-of-15 shooting from deep, but even that wasn’t enough to get the win. Charlotte outscored the Timberwolves by 18 points in the fourth quarter to come away with a stunning 128-125 victory.

Towns failed to score on his team’s final two possessions after his teammates struggled to generate any offense when he was on the bench for some of the fourth quarter. He also wasn’t pleased with the officiating:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportKAT WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE NO CALL HERE 😳 pic.twitter.com/Z1Xi96xsPC

Social media still had plenty to say about his performance:

LeBron James @KingJamesKAT got 58 at the end of the 3rd! 10-12 from 3 so far. These boys tonight going CRAZY!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Basketball Reference @bball_ref4⃣4⃣ in the first half for Karl-Anthony Towns! 🤯

The MOST in any first half in the play-by-play era (since 1996-97).#NBA | #RaisedByWolves pic.twitter.com/kHBkyrBoeC

Minnesota Timberwolves @TimberwolvesA NEW CAREER-HIGH 👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/I8rWvuGaXa

NBA @NBAA HISTORIC 44-POINT HALF FROM KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS 🤯

🔥 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

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportKAT AT THE HALF 🤯

44 PTS
14-17 FG
8 3PM

WOW. pic.twitter.com/8G7t3y3xwB

Ballislife.com @BallislifeMeanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns has 43 1ST HALF POINTS (14/16) on a perfect 8-of-8 from three🔥 pic.twitter.com/PLtJ75aHCz

KENNY BEECHAM @KOT4QKAT HAS HOW MANY RIGHT NOW??

Timberwolves Muse @WolvesmuseKarl-Anthony Towns in the first half:

44 PTS
5 REB
14-17 FG
8-9 3PT

BEST SHOOTING BIG EVER pic.twitter.com/e13o8t25Fg

Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBAUnreal the Timberwolves blew that 18-point lead to the Hornets. KAT with 62 but needs to rest late. No one else can score. And at home too. After losing to the Thunder at home over the weekend. Rough stretch.

Isaiah Thomas @isaiahthomasHaha but the people be speaking about defense. Man ain’t nobody stopping anybody. The rules don’t allow you too. KAT and Embiid going craaaaaaazzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyyy

RingerNBA @ringernbaBoth Joel Embiid and Karl Anthony Towns tonight pic.twitter.com/c8ByT3JbIB

StatMuse @statmuseThe first time two players have scored 60+ points on the same night in over 45 years. pic.twitter.com/3GaFuPLuoE

Dan Favale @danfavalekarl-anthony towns in the first half vs the hornets https://t.co/v9CyKVSFBV

br_betting @br_bettingKarl-Anthony Towns’ stat line… AT HALFTIME:

44 PTS
5 REB
2 AST

Imagine sending his pts under to the group chat 💀 pic.twitter.com/w3JUjRMuuF

StatMuse @statmuse18 years ago today, Kobe Bryant had 26 points at half — He finished the game with 81 points.

Tonight, Karl-Anthony Towns has 44 points at half. pic.twitter.com/6cXxMemBcS

While the three-time All-Star plays in the frontcourt, he was a matchup nightmare from the opening tip for Charlotte. He drained eight three-pointers before intermission, which forced defenders to come out and open more of the lane.

It seemed as if Monday’s performance would be another development in what has been an incredible start to the season for the Timberwolves until they blew the lead.

They entered play with a 30-12 record, which was good enough for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Anthony Edwards looks like a foundational cornerstone to build around for years to come, and Towns is an All-Star caliber big who elevates the ceiling heading into the season’s second half.

But Monday’s loss might be one that lingers.