New Jersey native and former Kentucky star Karl-Anthony Towns had a historic night fro the Minnesota Timberwolves when they faced off with the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. But Carmelo Anthony had the game-winner.
New Jersey native Karl-Anthony Towns had a historic night for the Minnesota Timberwolves as they faced off with the Knicks in Minneapolis on Wednesday night. But it was Carmelo Anthony who made the plays that sealed the win for New York.
Towns can dramatically change NBA
Towns, a Piscataway native who played at St. Joseph (Met.) before taking Kentucky to the Final Four as a freshman, had a career-high 47 points and 18 rebounds on Wednesday for the Timberwolves. He went 15-for-22 from the field and made 17 of 20 free throws. He also blocked three shots. But Anthony hit a jumper with 2.3 seconds left and then swatted away the ensuing inbound pass to assure a 106-104 victory for the Knicks.
Game-winners in Minnesota [?] #StayMe7o pic.twitter.com/NhBdFLbnxY
-- Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 1, 2016
The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, Towns ridiculous stat line put him in rarefied air. According to Tommy Beer of BasketballInsiders.com, Towns became just the ninth player in the last 30 years with at least 47 points and 18 rebounds. The list of other players to accomplish the feat is very impressive.
Karl Anthony-Towns becomes just the ninth player in the last three decades w/ at least 47 points & 18 rebs.
-- Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) December 1, 2016
Here's other 8 via @bball_ref pic.twitter.com/Z7xpTfv0ub
Anthony finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three steals. Kristaps Porzingis, who finished second to Towns in the Rookie of the Year voting last season, had 29 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks in the victory.
Towns and Porzingis will face off once again on Friday when the Knicks host Minnesota in the back end of the home-and-home.
Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.