Karl-Anthony Towns is third big man to win 3-Point Contest

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates with the trophy after winning the 3-point contest during the 2022 NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Rocket Mortgage Field House. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Karl-Anthony Towns becomes third big man to ever win 3-Point Contest

By Jordan Wolf | Last updated 2/19/22

Karl-Anthony Towns proved the bookmakers in Las Vegas wrong Saturday night.

Towns took home the 3-point Contest title at All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, coming out on top after entering the event with the longest odds to win among the eight competitors. The Timberwolves big man was going off at 13-to-1 to win at Caesar's Sportsbook.

The first round started with a modest string of scores, and Towns stepped in needing to hit at least 19 to avoid elimination. He entered the final rack at 17, and connected on three regular shots and his money ball to finish at 22 and send himself to the championship round.

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

It was an impressive showing for Towns, but not the best first-round score. That belonged to Luke Kennard of the Pistons, who poured in a blistering 28 to advance to the finals. The third finalist was the Hawks' Trae Young, who hit his final money ball to beat the Nets' Patty Mills by one point and move on.

In the finals, Towns set the tone in the leadoff spot. He caught a nuclear rhythm, erupting to score 29 and put himself in the driver's seat to win.

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

Young followed next, and while he came close, he could muster only 26 points as he came up just short of Towns. Kennard went last, and followed with another 26-point performance, making Towns the champion.

It was Towns' first career 3-Point Contest title, and he became the first big man to win the competition since Kevin Love -- who was also a member of the Timberwolves at the time, and also had the worst odds in the field -- won it in 2012. Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is the only other bona fide big man to win the competition, as he became the first 7-footer to do so in 2006.

Towns is set to compete Sunday night in the All-Star Game as well, as he'll represent Team Durant as a reserve.

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