Minnesota Timberwolves

The No. 7 seed Minnesota Timberwolves are back in the NBA playoffs after beating the No. 8 seed Los Angeles Clippers 109-104 on Tuesday in the play-in tournament at Minneapolis' Target Center.

L.A. led 93-83 with 8:54 remaining in regulation, but Minnesota responded with a 16-2 run capped by an Anthony Edwards dunk for a 99-95 edge:

https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/1514094487366250497

Minnesota never trailed for the remainder of the game, with Edwards notably hitting a big three-pointer for a 102-98 lead. The Timberwolves iced the game with free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

Edwards' 30 points led the Timberwolves, and D'Angelo Russell hit 10-of-18 shots for 29 points. Their efforts helped overcome an off-night from All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, who fouled out in the fourth quarter after just 11 points in 24 minutes.

Clippers forward Paul George, who started the game 2-of-10 from the field, finished with 34 points (10-of-24 from the field, 6-of-12 from three).

The Timberwolves hadn't made the playoffs in four years before breaking that streak Tuesday. The Clippers still have a chance to snag a playoff spot and will look to extend their postseason appearance streak to four.

        

Notable Performances

Clippers F Paul George: 34 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals

Clippers G Reggie Jackson: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists

Clippers G Norman Powell: 16 points

Timberwolves G Anthony Edwards: 30 points, 5 rebounds

Timberwolves G D'Angelo Russell: 29 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals

Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns: 11 points, 5 rebounds

    

Strong 4th Quarter Propels Wolves

Nothing was going right for the Wolves after halftime.

The Clippers outscored Minnesota 42-30 for the first 15:06 of the second half. George got scorching hot, and Towns couldn't get anything going because of foul trouble and struggles from the field (3-of-11).

L.A. led 93-83 and looked close to putting this one away, but Towns sliced to the bucket for a smooth layup to slash the lead to eight.

However, he soon fouled out, leaving the Wolves without their star player. Minnesota has plenty of talent otherwise, though, and it was up to them to take over.

That's just what they did, as the Wolves hit big shots and bore down on defense.

Malik Beasley drained a three-pointer to cut the lead to 93-90:

Malik Beasley drains the 3 to make it a 3 point game!

Watch the #MetaQuestPlayIn on TNT

LAC 93 | MIN 90
6:39 remaining in Q4

WIN TO GET IN pic.twitter.com/lwFvvK5jlx

— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2022

George responded with a layup, but Edwards and Naz Reid each hit shots to cut the Clippers' lead to 95-94.

Then it was Russell's time, as he hit a pull-up three for a lead the Wolves would never relinquish:

https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/1514094035740282882

Edwards soon followed up with a hammer dunk:

https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/1514094487366250497

The Clippers came as close as one point following Nicolas Batum's three-pointer one minute later, but Edwards' step-back three and Russell's ensuing step-back two from just inside the arc gave the Wolves a 104-98 lead.

George cut the lead in half with a three, but the Wolves crept away from there and now find themselves heading to Memphis.

    

George Does All He Can to Will Clippers to Playoffs

No one on the court played better than George in the second half, as the seven-time All-Star tried to put the Clippers on his back and into the playoffs.

He nearly pulled it off, getting it done on both ends of the floor.

All about the hustle. 😤

📺 @NBAonTNT | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/EfvO793YZN

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 13, 2022

George did his best work from behind the three-point line, though, as the Wolves simply could not stop him from deep. Back-to-back threes put L.A. up top 69-67.

Back-to-Back 3️⃣'s.

📺 @NBAonTNT | @Yg_Trece pic.twitter.com/ZTw0X3umw9

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 13, 2022

He ended up scoring 18 in the quarter and had 27 heading into the final 12 minutes.

Paul George is up to 15 points in Q3 🔥

The @LAClippers lead by 7 in the #MetaQuestPlayIn on TNT pic.twitter.com/nzHCm2mjG2

— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2022

George kept it going in the fourth, hitting this mid-range shot for a 95-90 lead:

Smooth with it.

📺 @NBAonTNT | @Yg_Trece pic.twitter.com/qBy1XCuPyw

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 13, 2022

Those were the only points scored during Minnesota's 16-2 run, though, forcing L.A. to scramble at the end. To George's credit, he kept things interesting with an assist on the Batum three before making a pair of three-pointers of his own.

The Wolves were simply too good down the stretch, though, and George and the Clippers now face a win-or-go-home game Friday.

       

What's Next?

Minnesota will play the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs beginning Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in FedExForum.

The Clippers will host the winner of the New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs play-in game on Friday at 10 p.m. ET in Crypto.com Arena.

The victor there will be the No. 8 seed and begin their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Patrick Beverley was ejected in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chicago Bulls, and now he's paying the price for his actions.

The NBA announced Tuesday that Beverley was fined $25,000 for "improper conduct toward a game official."

Beverley picked up a technical foul and then was ejected just before halftime in Sunday's matchup. The Timberwolves went on to lose the game 124-120 in front of their home crowd at the Target Center.

In his first season in Minnesota, Beverley's veteran presence has been a welcome addition to a relatively young team. Known for his energy and defensive tenacity, the 33-year-old helped change the attitude of the Timberwolves en route to a 46-36 finish to the season.

Minnesota is set to face the Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in tournament on Tuesday. With a win, the Timberwolves would assume the seventh seed in the Western Conference and advance to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

Prior to landing with Minnesota, Beverley spent the last four years with the Clippers. He was traded to the Grizzlies in August before being dealt to the Timberwolves, who signed him to a one-year extension in February.

It can be expected that Beverley will be especially amped to face his former team with an opportunity to advance to the playoffs on the line. However, the Clippers were victorious over the Timberwolves in three of four regular-season meetings.

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch will sign a multiyear extension with the team, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic and The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski.

The coaching staff will also receive extensions.

Finch is in his first full campaign with the Timberwolves after replacing Ryan Saunders midway through last season. Minnesota ended the 2021-22 regular season with a 46-36 record, seventh-best in the Western Conference.

The squad has home-court advantage in its play-in tournament matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, needing one win in the next two games to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

If Minnesota does advance, it would be the team's first playoff appearance since 2017-18 and just the franchise's second since 2003-04.

The Wolves have already experienced a massive transformation under Finch.

Saunders was fired after going 7-24 to begin the 2020-21 campaign, causing the team to bring in Finch, who was serving as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. The team saw immediate improvements, finishing the year 16-25. 

Minnesota made even bigger strides this season after the coaching staff installed a fast-paced attack that helped the Timberwolves lead the NBA with 115.9 points per game.

Center Karl-Anthony Towns earned his third All-Star selection with averages of 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, while 2020 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards has emerged as a star, averaging 21.3 points per contest.

The team has thrived with a young roster, with Patrick Beverley the only player in the rotation older than 28.

Finch will look to keep developing this squad with the hope of turning it into a legitimate contender in the Western Conference.     

It appears Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo was nearly traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves back in 2018. 

Speaking on JJ Redick's The Old Man and the Three podcast, Adebayo said he was almost traded to the Timberwolves in a deal that would have included Jimmy Butler, who was eventually dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers. 

“You heard the Minnesota situation, and it’s crazy,” Adebayo said (via Tribune News Service). “Because I almost got traded for Jimmy, to Minnesota.”

At the time, Adebayo, the 14th overall pick in 2017, was entering his second year in the NBA after an unpromising rookie season that saw him average just 6.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 69 games. 

Miami obviously ended up keeping the Kentucky product, and it's because team president Pat Riley was confident he had something special in him. 

“But I almost got traded for Jimmy,” Adebayo recalled. “Pat wouldn’t trade me. Like he was, ‘Nah, I see something good in this kid.’ Yadda, yadda, yadda. And, at that point, I’m sweating bullets. Like, I’m not trying to be traded. I like it in Miami. It’s warm. I kind of got my feet wet. I’m familiar with the place.”

Keeping Adebayo paid off for the Heat as he has improved in each of his five NBA seasons and has emerged as one of the better bigs in the league. The 24-year-old is currently having a career year, averaging 19.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 55.7 percent from the floor. 

Miami also landed Butler in a sign-and-trade deal with the 76ers in 2019, and he and Adebayo have combined to make the Heat one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The duo led the team to the NBA Finals during the 2019-20 campaign and a playoff appearance last season.

The Heat also clinched the Eastern Conference this year with a 53-28 record entering Sunday's regular-season finale against the Orlando Magic. Butler has played a big role in their success, averaging 21.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 48.0 percent from the floor.

With the emergence of Adebayo, the play of Butler and the addition of Kyle Lowry, the Heat are primed to make a deep run in the postseason. 

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George downplayed the Patrick Beverley subplot when the veteran guard faces off against his old team in the NBA play-in tournament.

"I'm not going through Pat," George told reporters. "We're going through the T-Wolves. This is not a Paul George vs. Pat Beverley match. This is not a Pat Bev vs. Clippers matchup. ... I'm not even going to make that the narrative."

The seventh-place Minnesota Timberwolves are locked in against the eighth-place Clippers for a matchup Tuesday in Minneapolis.

That will pit Beverley against his old team, and he might be carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder given how he exited Los Angeles.

The 33-year-old explained on JJ Redick's Old Man and the Three podcast (via the Los Angeles Times' Andrew Greif) he wanted out once it became clear the Clippers weren't going to tender him the kind of contract he thought he deserved:

I’m thinkin' this contact extension is going to be easy, walk in and they throw me a number that I felt like was borderline disrespectful. So the conversation started with [president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank], and it was a heated little conversation, and L Frank is my guy. … Man, love him to death, that's my guy. And I looked him in his face and told him and my agent, man, L Frank knows he has to trade me. If he can't pay me, gotta trade me. From that point he told me [to] give me my teams, and Minnesota was in my top three.

There doesn't appear to be any lingering bad blood. Both George and Reggie Jackson praised how much Beverley's contributions have helped to lift the Timberwolves:

Some of the Clippers' thoughts today on facing Minnesota in the play-in Tuesday.

Reggie Jackson on the Timberwolves and seeing Pat Beverley: pic.twitter.com/5nl0tbwQGF

— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) April 8, 2022

Paul George says he can see Pat Bev’s impact on the Wolves in how they play with energy and heart. He called Pat Bev their battery and engine. He says he told his close friend KAT just how much Pat Bev would help them.

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) April 10, 2022

Through 57 games, Beverley is averaging 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Beyond the box score, his confidence and blunt honesty have rubbed off on a team that missed the playoffs for three straight years.

"When he's on the floor, when he's on the bench, we have a different mentality," Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns said of Beverley, comparing his contributions to how Draymond Green influences the Golden State Warriors.

Winning a title is the ultimate goal for Minnesota this season. Qualifying for the first round—and stymying the Clippers in the process—would probably be a good consolation prize for Beverley if the Wolves fall short of that objective.

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced guard D'Angelo Russell will not play Monday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers because of hamstring soreness.

A left shin contusion most recently knocked Russell out of a 124-115 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 27. He was absent when Minnesota returned to the court for a 134-124 defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Suns one day later.

At 36-29, the Timberwolves are seventh in the Western Conference and on pace to at least qualify for the play-in tournament. That would be an improvement for a franchise that won 42 combined games over the last two seasons.

Russell has had a hand in Minnesota's success, but his production is probably falling short of what the front office hoped when it paired him with Karl-Anthony Towns. He's averaging 19.3 points and 7.0 assists through 51 games. More glaring are his shooting numbers (41.9 percent overall and 35.0 percent on three-pointers).

His performance arguably isn't matching his $30 million salary this year.

Russell's absence will force Patrick Beverley to handle more of the playmaking burden out of the backcourt. Jordan McLaughlin and Jaylen Nowell will need to assume larger roles as well in Chris Finch's rotation.

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that guard Anthony Edwards is out for the team's home game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday with left patella tendinopathy.

The second-year pro out of Georgia has been sensational for the resurgent Timberwolves, averaging 21.4 points per game on 43.2 percent shooting. Thanks in part to his efforts, the T-Wolves are squarely in the playoff picture at 33-29 after going 23-49 the year before.

Edwards hadn't missed any time because of injury until Feb. 15, when he suffered a right ankle sprain during his team's 126-120 overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, Feb. 15. He scored nine points in 18 first-half minutes but did not return for the second half.

He returned for the Wolves' Feb. 16 game vs. the Toronto Raptors.

Edwards did miss six games in December after entering the league's health and safety protocols. During his absence, both Malik Beasley and Jaden McDaniels replaced Edwards in the starting lineup.

Sans Edwards, McDaniels will step back into the starting five. He replaced Edwards in the second half against Charlotte, eventually playing 37 minutes and posting 18 points and four steals. McDaniels has fared well for the Timberwolves with 9.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

James Harden made his Philadelphia 76ers debut Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he did not disappoint in a 133-102 win at Target Center to help the team to improve to 36-23.

Harden's debut officially marks a new era in Philadelphia. The Sixers acquired Harden at the trade deadline earlier this month in a deal that sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets, but he had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, missing four games. 

Philadelphia went 3-1 in Harden's absence, including a big win over the Milwaukee Bucks before the All-Star break. With the three-time scoring champion now on the floor alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers are looking like one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference. 

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Notable Stats

James Harden, SG, PHI: 27 PTS, 8 REB, 12 AST

Karl-Anthony Towns, C, MIN: 25 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST

Joel Embiid, C, PHI: 34 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL

Anthony Edwards, SF, MIN: 15 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK

Tyrese Maxey, PG, PHI: 28 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL

D'Angelo Russell, PG, MIN: 21 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST

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James Harden Makes Immediate Impact in Sixers Debut

Harden's 76ers debut couldn't have gone any better, and his connection with Joel Embiid was on full display. 

Despite Harden returning from a hamstring injury with a new team and new system, he excelled and made it look like he has been playing for the Sixers the entire season.

The 32-year-old finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists in Friday's win. He made seven of 12 shots from the floor and five of seven shots from deep in what was one of his better performances of late. 

the Harden era has begun! pic.twitter.com/n7eSzHxJyH

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022

closer look at the assist. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/3LJUKiNO9U

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022

Harden hits. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/xZJqoZDZeq

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022

nobody's safe. 🤯@JHarden13 ➡️ @TyreseMaxey pic.twitter.com/zKomQNo5rb

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022

QB 1 pic.twitter.com/qgVN79kpFi

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022

.@JHarden13's signature move. pic.twitter.com/hwwJ7ByJty

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022

they don't call it the Target Center for nothin' pic.twitter.com/HCDioRPUMU

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022

Even before Harden made his 76ers debut, many were talking about the connection he could potentially build with Embiid. Both players are dominant scorers, but Embiid does most of his work from mid-range and in the post, while Harden is a great perimeter scorer. 

Embiid and Harden have likely been working on their rapport from the minute the former Net landed in Philadelphia. The veteran big man lauded Harden before shootaround Friday, saying he's a "great person, a great personality, always smiling, fun to be around," according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. 

Embiid added: "His presence on the team, and on the floor, has really changed a lot since he got here. So I'm just excited for that to continue on the court and I think that's going to help us a lot."

That said, it should also be noted that both players went to work even when they weren't on the court together in Minnesota. As Bontemps noted, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers staggered his lineup throughout the first half, often deciding to put Tobias Harris and Harden together and Embiid with Tyrese Maxey. When one duo was on the court, the other was on the bench. 

Though, when it comes down to it, both Harden and Embiid were on the floor in critical moments and that will only continue throughout the remainder of the season.

Harden and Embiid are already looking like they're going to be one of the best big-point guard combos in the NBA. If they can replicate the success they found Friday, they'll be one of the most difficult duos to play against come playoff time. 

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Karl-Anthony Towns Gets Out to Slow Start in Sluggish Performance

Fresh off winning the three-point competition at All-Star weekend, Towns got out to a rough start against the Sixers on Friday night. He started 3-of-13 and 0-of-4 from three and finished making just 8-of-19 shots from the floor and 2-of-6 shots from deep. 

Towns definitely had a much better fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late as Harden and Embiid teamed up to overpower a Timberwolves squad that had high hopes for Friday's game after defeating the Grizzlies on Thursday. 

Did we mention KAT is good at shooting 3's? #RaisedByWolves pic.twitter.com/NaGKOr0Zuf

— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) February 26, 2022

It's was a sluggish, uncharacteristic outing for Towns, who is typically Minnesota's leader. However, it should be noted that Anthony Edwards and the remainder of the Timberwolves' offense struggled through much of the first half. 

In fact, the Timberwolves entered Friday's game averaging 57.4 first-half points per game, which ranked fifth in the NBA. Against the Sixers, they put up just 49 in the first half. 

As a team, the Timberwolves finished shooting just 41.2 percent from the floor and 23.1 percent from deep. Their three-point shooting, slow start and lack of defense is really what slowed them down against the Sixers. 

Luckily, the Timberwolves will have a few days off before their next game, and both Towns and Edwards should be well-rested and ready to go by then. 

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What's Next?

The 76ers will travel to face the New York Knicks on Sunday, while the Timberwolves will be on the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. 

Patrick Beverley wanted to have the last word after the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Memphis Grizzlies 119-114 on Thursday night.

Damn Memphis Grizz no dancing or talking crazzzy tonight huh 🤔 awwww ok Good Luck rest of the way

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) February 25, 2022

For the veteran guard, games against the Grizzlies might carry an added edge after Memphis quickly traded him to Minnesota in the offseason.

Beverley wouldn't be the first player to carry that kind of grudge.

Justise Winslow said he remembered how Memphis declined his team option last summer. He dropped 16 points in a win for the Portland Trail Blazers over the Grizzlies on Feb. 16. 

Beverley may not have forgotten his last meeting with Memphis on Jan. 13, either. The Timberwolves lost by eight points, and there was a brief exchange between Beverley and Ja Morant in the fourth quarter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-j3P4ZsUM4

To some degree, Beverley's tweet was a sign of respect toward the Grizzlies. If they're languishing near the bottom of the standings, he probably doesn't look to twist the knife a little bit more.

And this gives Memphis a little taste of what it's like to go from the hunter to the hunted as it potentially plays its way into a top-four seed.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns became just the third big man to win the NBA Three-Point Contest after taking the competition down Saturday from Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

💯 @KarlTowns approached tonight's #MtnDew3PT contest with confidence.

The result? A final-round record of 29 points and a 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Pw8SaVl3K7

— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022

Towns dropped a record 29 points in the last round and held on after a pair of fellow finalists, Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young and Los Angeles Clippers wing Luke Kennard, scored 26 apiece.

Eight NBA players took part in this year's competition, and here's a look at how it all went down.

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1st Round (Top 3 Advance to Finals)

Los Angeles Clippers G/F Luke Kennard: 28

Minnesota Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns: 22

Atlanta Hawks G Trae Young: 22

Brooklyn Nets G Patty Mills: 21

New Orleans Pelicans G CJ McCollum: 19

Memphis Grizzlies G Desmond Bane: 18

Toronto Raptors G Fred VanVleet: 16

Chicago Bulls G Zach LaVine: 14

---

Finals

Minnesota Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns: 29

Los Angeles Clippers G/F Luke Kennard: 26

Atlanta Hawks G Trae Young: 26

---

Notes and Highlights

The first round featured Luke Kennard dropping 28 points, which was six clear of anyone else.

Luke Kennard is the early leader in Round 1 of #MtnDew3PT with a score of 28!

4 shooters left, top 3 advance.#NBAAllStar #StateFarmSaturday pic.twitter.com/YgPWhfw3Mk

— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022

He all but solidified his finals spot at that point, but there was plenty left to sort out.

Patty Mills (21) and CJ McCollum (19) briefly held finals spots alongside Kennard, but Towns and Young had other plans.

KAT got hot at the last rack and posted 22 points to knock out McCollum:

KAT closes strong to finish with 22!

He's clinched a spot in the finals of #MtnDew3PT on TNT.

#NBAAllStar #StateFarmSaturday pic.twitter.com/u256PZ6sc4

— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022

Young needed 22 points to steal Mills' finals spot, and he got it done after making the final money ball:

ICE TRAE knocks down his final shot to advance to the #MtnDew3PT finals! #NBAAllStar

Trae, KAT and Kennard compete for the 🏆 on TNT pic.twitter.com/jfrooH7mNZ

— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022

Towns went first and set the gold standard with his 29 points. He got scorching-hot early and never looked back.

🚨 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

With that, Towns joined a pair of fellow power forward/centers in Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love to win this competition.

Towns had the longest odds to win the three-point contest, per B/R Betting.

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (+1200) WINS THE 3-POINT CONTEST 🔥

KAT had the longest odds in the field pic.twitter.com/rDg9SsZoMF

— br_betting (@br_betting) February 20, 2022

Many people may have been surprised, but the determined Towns wasn't one of them.

"I told you, Shaq! Vegas got the odds wrong." 😂@KarlTowns had a message for @SHAQ after winning #MtnDew3PT. pic.twitter.com/h1QXGLtR1S

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 20, 2022

Karl-Anthony Towns said he's so happy to have won the three-point challenge but was mad at himself for not being perfect.

He said he was up at 8 a.m. today to practice.

Says it bolsters his case as the best-shooting big ever.

— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) February 20, 2022

As far as that case goes, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report made some good points.

Just to follow-up on Karl-Anthony Towns' best shooting big man of all time claim...

The only players in NBA history who match or exceed both of Towns' career marks for 3PA and eFG%: Joe Harris, Joe Ingles and Stephen Curry.

— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) February 20, 2022

This night also marked an emotional moment for Towns, who honored his mother, Jacqueline Towns, by wearing her necklace during the competition. Jacqueline Towns died from complications due to COVID-19 in April 2020.

The NBA made an exception to the no-jewelry rule for Towns, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

Karl-Anthony Towns thanked the NBA for allowing him to wear his mom's chain during the 3-point contest – an exception to the rule that didn't allow them to wear any jewelry during the competition.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 20, 2022

It's been a great start to the year for Towns, whose Timberwolves appear primed to make the play-in tournament at bare minimum after a 31-28 start. Now he has a three-point contest title to his name as he looks to close out the weekend strong in Sunday's All-Star Game.