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Line: 33 points, 19 rebounds, 4 blocks, 12-of-24 shooting (1-of-4 from deep)

Karl-Anthony Towns had some not-so-kind-words for himself ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves' Oct. 27 date with the Thunder, per the Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda:

"I've just got to be better all around, everywhere. I'm not my best right now. I'm not, and it hurts. So I've got to go back to the drawing board and find a way to play better. I've got to be more of a factor, and I've got to find ways. The team looks at me for a lot and right now in my opinion, I'm not delivering. I've got to find ways."

Indeed, Towns had devolved into an even bigger defensive liability entering this tilt. He was slower and outright indecisive on closeouts and rotations around the rim, and the Timberwolves were coughing up an unfathomable 119.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the court—the worst mark among starters.

This is to say: Towns needed to erupt against the Thunder. And he did.

Oklahoma City shot a higher percentage near the basket with Towns in the game, and Minnesota's defense wasn't great overall. But it was better when Towns played.

He hung tough when cutting off drives to the basket and was a tick quicker when rotating around the hoop. He corralled loose balls and contested five more two-pointers than anyone from either side. He also de—wait for it—stroyed the Thunder on the offensive glass when they went a little a smaller.

Oh, and just to reiterate his awesomeness, here's every other player (since at least 1983-84) to compile at least 33 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks in a game before his 22nd birthday: Shaquille O'Neal (four times)

That's it.

Unless otherwise cited, all stats are courtesy of NBA.com or Basketball Reference and current leading into games on Oct. 31.

Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter (@danfavale) and listen to his Hardwood Knocks podcast co-hosted by B/R's Andrew Bailey.