MINNEAPOLIS — Miles Bridges scored 28 points as the Charlotte Hornets came back from down 15 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves despite 62 points from Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Hornets (10-31) trailed 107-92 entering the fourth quarter but exploded for 38 points in the final period to take the lead with three minutes left in the game. Charlotte won the contest 128-125 over the Timberwolves (30-13).
Minnesota's scoring was dominated by Towns, who set a Timberwolves record with 43 points in the first half and 62 points in the game.
Towns went 21 for 35 from the field, including an impressive 10 for 15 mark on 3-pointers.
The Hornets kept the Timberwolves in check with an uncharacteristic big first half of their own. Charlotte trailed by just five points at halftime to the Western Conference leaders and seemed overconfident to secure the upset.
Bridges had 13 points in the first quarter for the Hornets.
The Timberwolves increased their lead to 15 points after the third quarter as Towns kept the pressure during his record-setting performance.
Charlotte went on a 21-7 run to begin the fourth quarter to make the dramatic comeback seem all the more possible.
The Hornets took their first lead with a Nick Smith Jr. shot from behind the arc with under four minutes left in regulation.
From there, the Hornets kept control and held on. Towns got one last chance to make a game-winning shot with only seconds left on the clock but Leaky Black executed a clutch block to prevent the score. Black sank two free throws after a Minnesota personal foul to secure the Hornets win.
The Hornets were led by Bridges with 28 points. Rookie Brandon Miller had 27 points. LaMelo Ball had 18 points and 13 assists in the win.
"We came in the game mentally prepared," Miller said after the win. "To get a win like this builds our momentum."
It's just the third time this season that the Hornets have pulled off two wins in a three-game span.
Charlotte's next game is against the Detroit Pistons (4-39) on Wednesday.
Minnesota remains the leader of the Western Conference with the loss. The Timberwolves' next game is against the Washington Wizards (7-35).