On Jan. 22, 2024, Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns delivered extraordinary performances in the NBA. Embiid scored an impressive 70 points, setting a new 76ers record and leading Philadelphia to a 133-123 victory over San Antonio. Meanwhile, Towns had a phenomenal night, scoring 62 points (career high and T-Wolves record), but it was not enough as Minnesota lost 128 to 125 to Charlotte.
This remarkable feat by Towns and Embiid marked only the fourth day in NBA history when two players scored at least 60 points in separate games.
Previous instances occurred on April 9, 1978, with David Thompson (73 points) and George Gervin (63), on Jan. 17, 1962, with Jerry West (63) and Wilt Chamberlain (62), and on Dec. 8, 1961, when Chamberlain (78) and Elgin Baylor (63) accomplished this feat in a game that went to the third overtime.
Embiid’s 70 points was the 12th highest score in NBA history and surpassed Chamberlain’s record (68 points).
This all happened 18 years after Kobe Bryant’s 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. In short, January 22 is a truly historic day for the NBA and especially propitious for great scorers, whoever they may be.
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