Karl-Anthony Towns is a regular participant of NBA ALl-Star weekend. Whether it’s the skills challenge or Sunday’s big game, it’s usually a safe bet that Towns will make an appearance in some capacity.
This year, though, he didn’t just make an appearance — he made history.
After scoring 29 points in the final round, Towns became the first center ever to win the 3-point contest. His 29-point showing in the final round is also the highest score in the competition’s history.
Karl Anthony-Towns hits 22 threes in the #MtnDew3PT Contest, which puts him in the Finals 🎯🔥
pic.twitter.com/v7R9vH95Kz
— Pro Cats (@ProCatsCoverage) February 20, 2022
🚨 Karl-Anthony Towns opens the final round of #MtnDew3PT with 29! 🚨
2 shooters left on TNT. #NBAAllStar #StateFarmSaturday pic.twitter.com/lyfAOUv6Es
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022
Karl-Anthony Towns is the first center to win the 3-point contest. pic.twitter.com/8zwEk11d2v
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 20, 2022
After the game, both he and the Twitter world went wild, totally in awe at his shooting display.
“I told you, Shaq. Vegas had the odds wrong!” –@KarlTowns
Towns (+1200) has the longest odds in the 3-point contest 😤 pic.twitter.com/r9ZWgxOAbZ
— br_betting (@br_betting) February 20, 2022
Towns at 12-1 takes down the 3-point contest. That was a bigger upset than the Jags beating the Colts in Week 18.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1495230252351737870
towns 3 point contest winner pic.twitter.com/2deVqBLgKk
— ً🦆 (@D00KIENUTS) February 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/LDB1485/status/1495230596871770114
A 7footer winning the NBA 3PT contest shows the evolution of basketball. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!! Congrats Karl-Anthony Towns! SNIPER⭐️🎯 @NBA #NBA75
— Lethal Shooter (@LethalShooter__) February 20, 2022
karl-anthony towns being happy makes me happy
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) February 20, 2022
In December, Towns got some heat for calling himself ‘the greatest big man shooter.’ While his skills are undeniable, fans were quick to name Dirk Nowitzki.
Towns’ impressive victory tonight seems to have some re-evaluating the subject.
“I’m the greatest big man shooter of all time. That’s a fact,” Towns said. “You can see the stats. I ain’t got to play like no one else. Everyone trying to find themselves to be the second version of me when I’m the first version. I don’t got to be the second version of someone else. I’m already an original. I don’t have to be a duplicate of someone else.”
KAT capped off an awesome performance with an amazing celebration, and it left many fans a little misty-eyed.
Towns was hit hard by COVID-19, and he lost several family members (including his mother) during that time. On the court, the Timberwolves could never reach their potential on account of the many injuries that ravaged the roster.
To see Towns smiling and cheering is a great thing, and a wholesome moment that added another touching storyline to All-Star weekend.
