Jalen Brunson said that he would give his first All-Star showcase experience some thought on Monday before turning his mind back to the Knicks’ 27-game home stand, which begins on Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
In addition to competing in the 3-Point Contest on Saturday night and recording his first-ever 12-point performance in 17 minutes during Sunday’s All-Star Game in Indianapolis, Brunson thoroughly enjoyed his well-earned recognition around the league.
When questioned on Saturday on the Knicks’ potential to make the postseason this spring, Brunson responded, “Obviously, there’s chances.” However, I don’t think we should concentrate on it. We have to focus on Philly, which is our first game after the break, and proceed accordingly.
The pleasure of the voyage is in its gradual progression. We are unable to ignore it in any way.
However, for Brunson, basketball has always been a family affair, and this continued during his stay in Indianapolis.
During his father Rick’s nine-year NBA playing career and his following seasons as an assistant coach in the league, including the last two seasons they spent together in New York, the Knicks point guard was raised surrounded by the game.
The younger Brunson had always imagined himself in this situation, and he’s been happy to share it with his parents—his mother Sandra was also present—and his friends.
“It’s kind of coming full circle. I remember being around the league as a kid and always dreaming of having opportunities like this. And here I am,” Brunson said. “It’s something I won’t take for granted, for sure.”
The 27-year-old Brunson was one of four first-time All-Stars this season, all on the East squad, along with Paolo Banchero (Magic), Scottie Barnes (Raptors) and Tyrese Maxey (76ers).
Damian Lillard scored 39 points and had 11 made 3-pointers, including two halfcourt jumpers in the second half, to earn the Kobe Bryant Trophy as All-Star MVP. Hometown hero Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers contributed 32 points in the East’s record-setting 211-186 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Karl-Anthony Towns led all scorers with 50 points for the West, and LeBron James registered eight in his league-record 20th All-Star appearance — although he played only 14 minutes due to an ankle issue.
“I can’t really put it into words,” Brunson said of being a first-time All-Star. “It’s something you dream of and something you think about as a kid. … But to be able to do this and to be able to see the joy it’s brought my family, it’s fun.
Indeed, the former Villanova standout is well-liked at Madison Square Garden, where he is constantly greeted with cries of “MVP” as he leads the Knicks (33-22) back into the East race alongside injured forward Julius Randle, a three-time All-Star who missed the weekend’s festivities in an attempt to heal from a dislocated right shoulder.
Brunson, who signed with the Knicks as a free agency in 2022 after being selected by the Mavericks in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, is seventh in the league in scoring with 27.6 points per game and a career-high 6.5 assists over 52 games. What do you think? Post a comment.
Brunson said in a separate interview with ESPN that he believes the Knicks, who dropped five of six games ahead of the break amid a rash of injuries “can be really good” and “we have the potential to do a lot of really good things” as they start to get healthy.
“I know a lot of Knicks fans want to put us right in the Eastern Conference Finals. We were one step short last year,” Brunson said. “I think for us … we can’t look forward to the playoffs. We have to focus on every single day, just chipping away and getting better and better.”
