The greatest shooting big man of all-time came to All-Star weekend with one goal in mind: to win.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns achieved that goal on Saturday night in Cleveland, winning the 2022 NBA All-Star 3-Point Shooting Contest in historic fashion. His final round score of 29 set the record for the best round in finals history, eclipsing the previous mark of 28.
The most points EVER in a final round.
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 20, 2022
That man is different.@KarlTowns
Three-Point Champ pic.twitter.com/SZTsb0BR0O
The incredible final round score Towns earned was built on a solid first-round performance of 22 points, which tied Trae Young for the second-best first round score. But both Young and fellow guard Luke Kennard ran out of gas in their respective final rounds. Towns knew that the lack of lift on his shot — which really isn’t much of a jump shot — would be a major advantage for him in the competition, and it showed.
“I ain’t just showing up to be a smiling face. I’m going to compete. I’m not showing up to Cleveland for anything less,” Towns said postgame on Wednesday. “I want to win the All-Star game. I want to win Saturday night.”
now there's no debate.
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 20, 2022
congrats to the best shooting big man EVER @KarlTowns pic.twitter.com/bpZmFB1CYO
Towns did just that, with his late mother Jacqueline Cruz playing a key part
His 3-point shooting contest victory is just the latest accolade the former No. 1 pick, Rookie of the Year, and Kentucky standout has secured in his illustrious career. More importantly, Towns is proving that he’s the poster unicorn for the modern big man.
Towns was the first center to win the Skills Competition (2016) and now, six years later, is the first true center to win the 3-point shooting contest.
“The game has changed, and I’m just going to go out there and show that bigs have evolved and can shoot the three ball with the best of them, guards or anybody,” the three-time All-Star added. “I’m going to go out there to try to win.”
"I'm up there with the best shooting big men of all-time, and I needed this trophy to prove it.”@KarlTowns is feeling himself after winning the #MtnDew3PT contest
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 20, 2022
@NBApic.twitter.com/L1UYRHQXs8
He’s got the trophy as proof, folks. There has never been anyone like Karl-Anthony Towns. And there may never be another.
THE BEST SHOOTING BIG MAN EVER!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/I61WPMtimb
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 20, 2022
Wolves players chimed in on social media to give the GOAT his flowers.
Anthony Edwards was all of us.
Anthony Edwards was loving KAT winning the 3-Point Contest pic.twitter.com/JUD56xDnjq
— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) February 20, 2022
Go crazzzzzy gang @KarlTowns
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) February 20, 2022
YEAAAH KIT KAT !!!!
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) February 20, 2022
Best shooting big man ever. @KarlTowns
— Jarred Vanderbilt (@JVando) February 20, 2022
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