Karl-Anthony Cities scores Timberwolves document 62 in loss

MINNEAPOLIS — Karl-Anthony Cities scored a franchise document 62 factors, together with 44 within the first half, however the Charlotte Hornets erased an 18-point deficit and shocked the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-125 on Monday evening.

Cities topped his earlier profession better of 60, which was additionally the Minnesota document.

Nonetheless, Cities managed simply 4 factors on 2-for-10 taking pictures 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 and Minnesota trailing by one, then was quick on a 3-point try on the ultimate possession.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch lit into his group 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’ sizzling begin, saying they stopped trying to make the proper play.

“I imply there’s a number of instances when, simply since you’ve scored two or three or 4 factors in a row, or baskets in a row…you already know clearly we’re gonna attempt to feed a sizzling hand, search for a sizzling hand, however sooner or later we gotta get again to creating the proper play, we gotta get again to doing the proper issues,” Finch mentioned.

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.

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’ desperation 3 inside the ultimate second ensured the twenty first time in NBA historical past a participant has scored 60 or extra factors in a loss.

“We have got to discover a option to win,” mentioned Cities, including that he did not see any silver lining even after scoring 62. “It is about successful the sport.”

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 document. The NBA document 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 mentioned, there’s plenty of methods to be immature,” Finch mentioned. “There’s all the time plenty of methods to be immature. There was plenty of immature performances right here all through the roster. We completely disrespected the sport, ourselves, and we obtained precisely what we deserved.”

The Related Press contributed to this story.