On March 14, 2022, Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a breathtaking performance, scoring an NBA season-high 60 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 149-139 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The 26-year-old Dominican-American star also set a Timberwolves franchise record, surpassing his previous career-high of 56 points. Towns’ display, which included 17 rebounds and 7-of-11 shooting from three-point range, solidified his status as one of the league’s premier big men and kept Minnesota firmly in the Western Conference playoff race. “People see how incredibly talented ‘KAT’ is and what he’s able to do,” said Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, while Towns credited his teammates, stating, “None of this happens without my teammates.”
Towns’ Impact and Context
Towns’ 60-point outburst, with 32 points in the third quarter alone, placed him among elite company, joining Karl Malone, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan, James Harden, and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players with 60 points and 15 rebounds in a single game. His performance came on the two-year anniversary of his parents’ hospitalization due to COVID-19, adding emotional weight to his historic night. The win moved Minnesota to 40-30, keeping them 1.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets for the sixth seed, avoiding the Play-In Tournament.
Other NBA Highlights
The same night saw other standout performances across the league. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors scored 47 points in a 126-112 win over the Washington Wizards, marking the return of Draymond Green after a 32-game absence due to injury. The trio of Curry, Green, and Klay Thompson reunited for the first time since 2019, boosting Golden State’s playoff hopes. In a clash of MVP contenders, Nikola Jokic (22 points) outshone Joel Embiid (34 points) as the Denver Nuggets rallied to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-110. Denver coach Michael Malone downplayed the hype, focusing on the win’s importance.
Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points), Jrue Holiday (29 points), and Khris Middleton (23 points) led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 117-111 victory over the Utah Jazz, their first win in Utah in 21 years. Trae Young’s 46 points powered the Atlanta Hawks to a 122-113 comeback win against the Portland Trail Blazers, while Evan Mobley’s career-high 30 points helped the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-111 in overtime. The Los Angeles Lakers continued their struggles, falling 114-103 to the Toronto Raptors, marking their fourth loss in five games.
Timberwolves’ Playoff Push
Towns’ historic night underscored Minnesota’s resurgence in the 2021/22 season, with the team aiming to secure a direct playoff berth. His versatility as a three-level scorer, evidenced by his 19-of-31 field goals and 15-of-16 free throws, made him a unique weapon. The Timberwolves’ high-scoring output against the Spurs, who dropped to 26-43, highlighted their offensive firepower, positioning them as a dangerous playoff contender.
