MINNEAPOLIS — Karl-Anthony Cities scored a franchise-record 62 factors, together with 44 within the first half, however the Charlotte Hornets erased an 18-point deficit and surprised the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-125 on Monday night time.
Cities topped his earlier profession better of 60, which was additionally the Minnesota file.
Nevertheless, Cities managed simply 4 factors on 2-for-10 capturing within the fourth quarter, when the Timberwolves have been outscored 36-18. He thought he was fouled on a drive to the basket within the closing seconds with Minnesota trailing by one, then was brief on a 3-point try on the ultimate possession.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch lit into his staff after the sport, calling it an “absolute disgusting efficiency of protection and immature basketball.” Finch went on to criticize how the Timberwolves responded to Cities’ scorching begin, saying they stopped trying to make the appropriate play.
“I imply there’s numerous instances when, simply since you’ve scored two or three or 4 factors in a row, or baskets in a row … clearly we will attempt to feed a scorching hand, search for a scorching hand, however in some unspecified time in the future we acquired to get again to creating the appropriate play, we acquired to get again to doing the appropriate issues,” Finch stated.
Cities completed 21-for-35 from the ground, together with 10-for-15 from 3-point vary, and now owns the highest three scoring outputs within the Wolves’ 35-year historical past.
“Having an evening like that on a loss would not really feel excellent or historic,” Cities stated.
The Wolves ran an isolation search for Cities with 12 seconds left, however Leaky Black blocked his driving layup try after which hit a pair of free throws on the different finish.
Cities’ unsuccessful desperation 3 inside the ultimate second ensured this was the twenty first time in NBA historical past a participant scored 60 or extra factors in a loss.
Cities stated there was no silver lining to his efficiency given the loss.
“We’re No. 1 within the West, probably the greatest groups in NBA; there ain’t no time for ethical victories, silver linings, ‘nice night time, however simply not a end we wished.’ We have got to discover a strategy to win,” he stated. “It is about successful the sport. It is about staying No. 1 within the West. It is about defending our house courtroom extra, most significantly above all issues.”
Within the first half, Cities was 14-for-17 from the sphere and 8-of-9 from 3-point vary because the Wolves took a 69-64 lead. The eight 3-pointers in a half have been two shy of the NBA file. The NBA file for factors in a primary half is shared by David Thompson and George Gervin with 53.
Miles Bridges scored 28 factors and Brandon Miller had 27 for the Hornets, who had misplaced seven of their previous eight video games and had the Jap Convention’s third-worst mark coming into Monday. Minnesota, in the meantime, has now misplaced two video games in a row for simply the second time this season.
“Like I stated, there’s loads of methods to be immature,” Finch stated. “There’s at all times loads of methods to be immature. There was loads of immature performances right here all through the roster. We completely disrespected the sport, ourselves, and we acquired precisely what we deserved.”
Cities’ scoring efficiency was eclipsed by Joel Embiid’s 70-point night time for the Philadelphia 76ers of their win over the San Antonio Spurs. Cities and Embiid turned the fourth pair of NBA gamers to every rating at the least 60 factors on the identical day and the primary since David Thompson (73) and George Gervin (63) in 1978, per ESPN Stats & Data.
The Related Press contributed to this story.
