Most 60-point games in NBA history: Karl-Anthony Towns becomes 31st member of exclusive club with career high

Micah Adams

Most 60-point games in NBA history: Karl-Anthony Towns becomes 31st member of exclusive club with career high image

March Madness has taken over the NBA. In a month defined by monster scoring outbursts, Karl-Anthony Towns upped the ante on Monday as he erupted for 60 points in the Timberwolves' win over the Spurs.

KAT's big night represents the sixth 50-point game in the NBA within the last 10 days, continuing a trend started by LeBron James back on March 5. 

It's the most points scored in the NBA this season and he is now the 31st player in NBA history to score 60. He's also just the 11th active player with a 60-point game.

Here is everything you need to know about Towns' record-setting performance.

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Karl-Anthony Towns career high points

KAT's 60 points set a career high, topping his previous career high set nearly four years ago. On March 28, 2018 Towns dropped 56 against the Atlanta Hawks, breaking the franchise record set by Mo Williams in 2015.

With his performance on Monday, Towns now has the two highest scoring games in franchise history and is the only player with multiple 50-point games.

Towns went off in the third quarter, scoring 32 points on 9-13 shooting. It's the 4th-most points in a single quarter over the last 25 years, trailing only Klay Thompson (37), Kevin Love (34) and Carmelo Anthony (33). 

Most 60-point games in NBA history

Towns is the 31st player in NBA history and the 11th active player to score 60 in a single game. It's officially the 77th 60-point game in league history.

MORE: Most 50-point games in NBA history

Wilt Chamberlain has almost half of the league's 60-point games with 32. James Harden and Damian Lillard are the only active players with more than one.

Here is a breakdown of every player to do it.

Players with 60-Point Games
Player Games
Wilt Chamberlain 32
Kobe Bryant 6
James Harden 4
Michael Jordan 4
Elgin Baylor 3
Damian Lillard 3
Karl-Anthony Towns 1
Kyrie Irving 1
Carmelo Anthony 1
Gilbert Arenas 1
Rick Barry 1
Bradley Beal 1
Larry Bird 1
Devin Booker 1
Tom Chambers 1
Stephen Curry 1
Joe Fulks 1
George Gervin 1
Allen Iverson 1
LeBron James 1
Bernard King 1
Karl Malone 1
Pete Maravich 1
Tracy McGrady 1
George Mikan 1
Shaquille O'Neal 1
David Robinson 1
Jayson Tatum 1
David Thompson 1
Klay Thompson 1
Kemba Walker 1
Jerry West 1

Most points in a game this season

Towns has the first 60-point game of the season. He is the 12th player with a 50-point game and its the 15th 50-point game so far. 

The 12 different 50-point scorers is one shy of the most ever in a single season. Back in 2018-19, 13 different players had a 50-point game.

Most Points In A Game This Season
Date Player Points
Mar. 15 Kyrie Irving 60
Mar. 14 Karl-Anthony Towns 60
Mar. 5 LeBron James 56
Jan. 3 Trae Young 56
Mar. 6 Jayson Tatum 54
Mar. 13 Kevin Durant 53
Feb. 28 Ja Morant 52
Feb. 10 Luka Doncic 51
Jan. 23 Jayson Tatum 51
Dec. 12 Kevin Durant 51
Mar. 11 LeBron James 50
Mar. 8 Kyrie Irving 50
Feb. 15 Giannis Antetokounmpo 50
Jan. 19 Joel Embiid 50
Jan. 2 Jaylen Brown 50
Nov. 8 Stephen Curry 50

 

Micah Adams

Micah Adams Photo

Micah Adams is a Managing Editor and Head of Affiliate and Commercial Content at Sporting News. Prior to joining SN in 2021, Adams spent over a decade producing and leading content teams at ESPN, DAZN and The Social Institute. Adams graduated from Duke University in 2009 and remains a Cameron Crazie at heart well into his 30s. When not losing sleep or hair over the Blue Devils, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bulls, and USMNT, Adams enjoys chasing his two small children around along with his wife, losing golf balls, spending time outdoors and binging terrible movies.