Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns on Monday set his team’s single-game franchise scoring record. His efforts, however, weren’t enough to get his team a win.
The Timberwolves lost 128-125 to the Charlotte Hornets at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. The loss dealt the T-Wolves consecutive home defeats for the first time this season.
Towns poured in a career-high 62 points in the losing effort. The 3-time All-Star shot 21/35 from the field and made 10 three-pointers in the contest. But despite the hot shooting, Towns was benched several times in the fourth as his team sputtered late.
Getting put on the bench in the midst of dropping 62 points in a close game is wild pic.twitter.com/GE432yQOts
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 23, 2024
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch blasted his team in front of reporters during his postgame press conference.
“It was an absolute disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball all the way through the game. … Obviously, we’re going to try and feed the hot hand. But at some point, we’ve got to get back to making the right play,” said Finch.
Chris Finch: "It was an absolute disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball all the way through the game… This is what happens when you have this type of approach." pic.twitter.com/fIjNdk4K7V
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 23, 2024
Finch added that the Timberwolves got “exactly what they deserved” with the loss. The 54-year-old coach believed that his team not only “disrespected the game” but themselves as well.
Minnesota led by as many as 18 points in the second half. But the Hornets doubled up the Timberwolves 36-18 in the fourth quarter to steal a win and spoil Towns’ big night.
The Hornets shot a blistering 56.8% from the field against the team with the NBA’s best defensive rating.
Towns appeared to be headed for an even bigger night than the 62-point total he ended up with. He already had 44 points by halftime. But the big man’s lofty scoring total might have worked to the detriment of his team.
The Timberwolves tried to force-feed Towns repeatedly in the second half, which left the door open for the Hornets to mount a comeback.
