Jalen Brunson finally got some recognition.
The Knicks point guard was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Stars on Friday (all times AEDT), an honour determined by NBA coaches after Brunson was snubbed for a starting spot by the fans.
Joining Brunson on the East reserves are injured Knicks teammate Julius Randle as well as Bam Adebayo, Paolo Banchero, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Maxey.
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In addition to Brunson, Banchero and Maxey also received their first ever selections for the blockbuster game later this month.
The star-studded Western Conference reserves include Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry, Paul George and Karl-Anthony Towns — all of whom have previously been named an All-Star.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver will likely need to pick injury replacements for both Randle and Joel Embiid (knee), who was last week named as a starter.
Among the biggest names to miss out were Trae Young, Scottie Barnes, Jimmy Butler, Myles Turner, Kristaps Porzingis, Derek White, Lauri Markkanen, Rudy Gobert, Alperen Sengun, Jamal Murray, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Brandon Ingram.
The first All-Star appearance had been a stated goal that eluded Brunson until he made himself a candidate that couldn’t be refused — until he emerged as the star of a surging Knicks squad fresh off the franchise’s best month in nearly 30 years.
Even though Brunson’s All-Star selection was expected, and momentum had been building since last year, it’s still an underdog story for a second-round pick who has been doubted because of his height and lack of athleticism.
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Brunson’s former Villanova coach, Jay Wright, told The New York Post that only an opportunity was required.
Brunson got one in New York and entered Friday with career-high averages in points (26.8), assists (6.5), 3-point percentage (42.2%) and minutes (35.7).
“To be the toast of the town and leading New York, I can’t say I saw that happening,” Wright said.
“But being this effective as a basketball player and this efficient, I’m not shocked. It’s really impressive. But I’m more impressed that he got the opportunity. I thought it was really brilliant on (Tom Thibodeau’s) part, and brilliant on Leon’s (Knicks president Leon Rose) part. That’s what I’m more surprised about. That he got the opportunity in that league.”
The East starters are Haliburton, who the Knicks faced on Thursday at MSG, Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Embiid and Jayson Tatum.
The West starters are LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Parts of this story originally appeared on the New York Post and has been reposted with permission
EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
Starters
Giannis Antetokounmpo [captain] (MIL)
Jayson Tatum (BOS)
Joel Embiid (PHI)*
Tyrese Haliburton (IND)
Damian Lillard (MIL)
Reserves
Bam Adebayo (MIA)
Paolo Banchero (ORL)
Jaylen Brown (BOS)
Jalen Brunson (NYK)
Donovan Mitchell (CLE)
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)
Julius Randle (NYK)*
WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
Starters
LeBron James [captain] (LAL)
Kevin Durant (PHX)
Nikola Jokic (DEN)
Luka Doncic (DAL)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)
Reserves
Devin Booker (PHX)
Stephen Curry (GSW)
Anthony Davis (LAL)
Anthony Edwards (MIN)
Paul George (LAC)
Kawhi Leonard (LAC)
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)
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