ALL-STAR GAME

February 15, 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns

World

Postgame Press Conference

Q. Karl, how cool was playing in a game like this to represent the World and the Dominican Republic?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: It was awesome. That's what this is about. Yeah, that's what this is about, man, being able to represent my mother's country, our country, it's a big honor. It's probably one of my favorite All-Star games I've been a part of, to be able to have that flag on my jersey.

Q. How does it feel to be the Dominican with most All-Star selections?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: It's a blessing, and it's awesome. It's been a long time I've been able to play NBA basketball, and I'm blessed to find the success to achieve that, but I hope that there's going to be a kid, woman or male, WNBA or NBA, that surpasses that number that I'll be finishing with.

Q. Did you expect guys to play that hard tonight?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: Yeah, I've been asking for it. Fans have been asking for it. Media have been asking for it. I feel that after today I think you all can see the competition is there, and I think that we all brought it today and a sense of effort. I hope that the fans and all of you appreciate it.

Q. The Dominican Republic is very proud of you representing the country on this global stage. Do you feel the same way?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: Yeah, I definitely feel the same way. It's an honor. Like I said, I talked about it even before the All-Star Game. When it was first announced, I wanted to be part of Team World. I brought it up even when I was younger in the Rookie game, and it was World versus USA, and I was on the USA team. I talked about how much I wanted to be on the World Team because of my Dominican roots and my country.

I'm glad that on the biggest stage the NBA could have this weekend, I was able to do it.

Q. You played your first All-Star Game here in Los Angeles in 2018. You played your sixth All-Star Game here in Los Angeles now. Tell me about this experience all weekend here in California.

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: Yeah, it's been awesome. Al [Horford] was playing with me in the game, but what makes this cool or different is just life. Life has continued to move on. I'm engaged. I got a new family here in L.A I have a lot of fun hanging out with. Obviously, the family dynamic is different for me.

This is special. It's special to be back here and have this experience with my father and my sister here, my nieces and nephew. Yeah, just for my mom to be represented here on the jersey, and last time [in 2018] she was able to be here in person to see it.