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Karl-Anthony Towns · As he pondered the inevitable question of not “if,” but rather “when” his series-long shooting drought would cease, Karl-Anthony Towns shifted his focus towards crossing every other box, until he could weather the storm. As one 3-pointer became two, and his confidence began to balloon, the message was sent: the Dallas Mavericks’ entry into the NBA Finals would require a rain check. Minutes removed from burying a pair of momentum-shifting triples, the Minnesota Timberwolves star settles along the left wing, mentally preparing himself for perhaps his season’s most consequential shot attempt. Aware of a play clock approaching its final seconds and the game’s pressure nearing its pinnacle, Towns connects on a no-hesitation triple over Derrick Jones Jr.’s contest, springing the Wolves’ late-game lead to six. Towns’ herculean effort during a 20-point second half helped Minnesota ensure both survival and a Game Five on their home floor. In conquering the battle against both his slump and foul trouble, Towns lived up to his reputation as one of NBA history’s smoothest-shooting bigs, pouring in 25 points, five rebounds, four 3-pointers, and a +15 plus-minus in just 29 minutes on May 28, 2024. · State of Mint