The NBA honored the 18th anniversary of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in style on Monday night.
Superstars like Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns both scored personal and franchise career highs in phenomenal performances, with Embiid notching 70 points and Towns joining in with 62.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 18 years since Bryant scored 81 points in the best performance of his career, but we’re so thrilled that Embiid and Towns paid tribute to that historic night with historic nights of their own.
NBA players and fans all shared their appreciation for this stunning night in basketball, one that we’re not going to forget anytime soon.
Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns both set new single-game franchise scoring records tonight for their teams.
◽️Embiid: 70 PTS | 18 REB
◽️Towns: 62 PTS | 8 REB | 10 3PM pic.twitter.com/XQGULwUhcW— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 23, 2024
This is the 4th instance in NBA history in which 2 players have recorded 60+ points on the same night:
01/22/2024 – Joel Embiid (70) & Karl-Anthony Towns (62)
04/09/1978 – David Thompson (73) & George Gervin (63)
01/17/1962 – Jerry West (63) & Wilt Chamberlain (62)
12/08/1961… pic.twitter.com/eS2rAXfGO0— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 23, 2024
70 PIECE NUGGET!!!! @JoelEmbiid 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🫡. CRAZY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 23, 2024
KAT got 58 at the end of the 3rd! 10-12 from 3 so far. These boys tonight going CRAZY!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 23, 2024
Congrats on a career night @JoelEmbiid!! #70piece 💪🏼🔥🙌🏼👏🏼
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 23, 2024
“Don’t take Joel for granted. This is special. Extremely special”
-Tyrese Maxey said they started to realize that Joel Embiid had a chance to break the Sixers franchise record after the 3rd quarter pic.twitter.com/0jZvoxrLH4
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 23, 2024
Proud to have been in the building as @JoelEmbiid dropped a franchise record 70 points. A historic and legendary performance for an all-time great. pic.twitter.com/27mOUhZxAU
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) January 23, 2024
However you want it, @JoelEmbiid has got it for you. All 3 levels. 59 through 3.
We’re witnessing history.pic.twitter.com/pJQQg72TQu
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) January 23, 2024
Got to see @JoelEmbiid set the @sixers record tonight by scoring 70 points. It’s inspiring to see someone at the top of their field still being playful like a child. Happy for Philadelphia. Happy for him and the team. Now back to editing a film! pic.twitter.com/rpkRl9F0KG
— M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) January 23, 2024
Karl-Anthony Towns scoring 43 in the first half after seeing Joel Embiid score 34 in the first half pic.twitter.com/Eks7eaJnBs
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 23, 2024
Karl Anthony Towns seeing Joel Embiid score 70 on Kobe 81 point anniversary. pic.twitter.com/TPUiCJ4Qzl
— At The Buzzer (@AtTheBuzzer1) January 23, 2024
The last time 2 players dropped 60+ points on the same day…1978 😳
Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns went off 💥 pic.twitter.com/PJKiThlkZP
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) January 23, 2024
Both Joel Embiid and Karl Anthony Towns tonight pic.twitter.com/c8ByT3JbIB
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) January 23, 2024
Joel Embiid with 59 points through 3 quarters and Karl-Anthony Towns with 41 points at the the half
What is happening
— AB (@aburnshoops) January 23, 2024
