Knicks' Jalen Brunson Helps Eastern Conference Seal Historic All-Star Victory
Sunday's NBA All-Star Game featured historic scoring tallies and not much Jalen Brunson ... in other words, New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau probably wasn't a fan.
Brunson's first All-Star Game was a bit of a fleeting experience, but he nonetheless had a role to play in a historic victory in a return to conference-vs.-conference play: the Knicks' headliner scored 12 points, all but two coming in the final period as the Eastern Conference, which put up an exhibition record in scoring with a 211-186 victory over the West at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Kyle Terada, USA TODAY SPORTS
In 17 minutes (none of which came in the third period), Brunson spent most of his time on the floor trying to add to the East's tally of 42 three-pointers, another All-Star record. Despite his struggles from the field (5-of-12), Brunson did deal out five assists, tied with Paolo Banchero (Orlando) for third-most in the East.
Brunson did manage to cap his night off in relative style, scoring his final two on a driving dunk that saw him hang on the rim for a comically long time in front of former teammate Luka Doncic (Dallas).
Knicks fans perhaps might've been appreciative of Brunson's relative lack of playing time: the point guard already leads the team at just under 36 minutes a game amidst injuries that forced New York (33-22) to literally limp into the All-Star break to the tune of four straight losses.
Three-Point Contest champion Damian Lillard (Milwaukee), who beat out Brunson and six others on All-Star Saturday, was the East's leading scorer en route to MVP honors. The decision to bestow MVP to Lillard drew boos from a partisan crowd hoping to see local hero Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana) take home the Kobe Bryant Award after scoring 32 points, all but two earned on a 10-of-14 outing from three-point range (perhaps appropriate with Reggie Miller calling the game for TNT and WNBA/New York Liberty three-point queen Sabrina Ionescu taking in the game courtside).
East reserve Jaylen Brown (Boston) was right behind him with 36 off the bench while fellow substitute Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) had 50 in a losing effort for the West.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will be held next February at Chase Center, the home of the Golden State Warriors.
In the meantime, Brunson will return to action with the Knicks on Thursday night when they hit the road to face the Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET, MSG).
