ALL-STAR GAME

February 18, 2024

Karl-Anthony Towns

Western Conference

Press Conference

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: It was amazing, amazing to be able to be in this position. After everything that happened last year with me and the injury and everything, you learn more to appreciate and cherish the moments and opportunity you're given. Tonight was one of those times where you just realize being in a locker room full of some greats in the NBA and the best players in the world and be able to be out here and be able to represent my country and my organization, I just wanted to cherish this moment and make the most of it.

I didn't know it was going to be 50. I thought maybe it was going to be more like 15. But God is good. It's Sunday. I'm blessed to be in this situation.

Q. Most points for a Dominican and for an international player. How does it feel to be breaking down those barriers?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: It's great. Like I said, it's a huge honor. It's all because of my teammates. My teammates tonight kept finding me and passing me the ball.

I just was trying, like I said, to take advantage of the opportunity and make some shots. I wish I could have made a little more, but beggars can't be choosers on a night like this.

Q. What did you think of Indy as the host city?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: Indy is great. Indy is such a pinnacle of basketball. I had such love for Indy watching them. For me growing up, Reggie Miller was the guy that just was electric to me, especially his shooting. So to be able to be in the house that Reggie Miller, Larry Bird, Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest -- you know, we could keep going down the list. Even people like Monta Ellis, I want to give a shoutout to.

To be in the building where they had historical moments, it's really special.

Q. When you're a teammate of LeBron's, what's it like to be on the court with him, who may be the greatest player ever?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: Absolutely. Like I told him on the court, GOAT. He's one of those guys that probably will never come again. The talent, his ability to overcome all adversity and his ability to exceed people's expectations. Just tremendous respect for LeBron, tremendous respect for what he's done and the impact he's had on the game of basketball.

I'm just -- it's crazy. I'm just blessed to be with -- I have no kids, but I tell my niece and my nephew that they get to see their uncle playing with LeBron James, it's a really cool experience for those children to have those childhood memories.

Q. You had 50 points. Did you at some point think you could maybe break the record?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: I knew I had a lot, but I knew Ant was the one as always -- it's always Ant -- was looking at me saying -- he was breaking down the points to me on the bench. I knew it was something special because even Steph got up and was like, ‘Get 50! Get 50!’

I hadn't been shooting the three ball well all night, but when I needed them to go in, they definitely did. God was good. I just was honored to be in the moment. I definitely tried to go the reverse through the legs. I couldn't make it in the All-Star Game, but I made it in a real game. Kind of funny how I did that.

Q. What helped you make so many points in this game?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: Just my teammates getting me the ball. Especially when you're a big, you never know what's going to happen. For my teammates to trust me and want to give me the ball was just an honor and a blessing.

I've really got to say, I think it was great coaching. The play calls and stuff like that, they're fantastic. I would love possibly one day to be able to play for this coaching staff if everything lines up.

I got hopes and dreams.