Jalen Brunson will be enjoying his first All-Star Showcase experience on Monday before refocusing his attention on the Knicks’ 27-game streak starting Thursday night against the 76ers in Philadelphia. He admitted that it would take him a day to reflect.
Brunson participated in the 3-point contest Saturday night and enjoyed well-deserved league-wide honors, scoring 12 points in 17 minutes for the first time in his career at the All-Star Game in Indianapolis on Sunday.
And now it’s time to get back to work.
“Obviously, there’s a chance,” Brunson said Saturday when asked about the Knicks’ postseason chances this spring. “But for us, I don’t think we can focus on that. We have to focus on Philadelphia, the first game after the hiatus, and move forward from there.
“The best part about this journey is just taking it one step at a time. And that’s something we can’t overlook at all.”
Still, basketball has always been a family affair for Brunson, and his time in Indy was no exception.
The Knicks point guard grew up around the game during his father Rick’s nine-year NBA career and subsequent seasons spent as assistant coaches in the league, including the past two seasons together in New York.
Young Branson envisioned himself in this position one day, and was happy to share the experience with his parents, with his mother Sandra also present.
“It’s coming full circle in a way. I remember being in the league as a kid and always dreaming of having an opportunity like this. And here I am,” Brunson said. “I don’t take that for granted, that’s for sure.”
Brunson, 27, is one of four All-Stars selected for the first time this season, along with Paolo Banchero (Magic), Scottie Barnes (Raptors) and Tyrese Maxey (76ers), all of whom are on the East team. Was.
Damian Lillard scored 39 points and made 11 3-pointers, including two half-court jumpers in the second half, winning the Kobe Bryant Trophy as All-Star MVP. Local hero Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers scored 32 points in the East’s record-setting 211-186 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
In the West, Karl-Anthony Towns led all scorers with 50 points, and LeBron James scored eight points in his league-record 20th All-Star appearance, but played only 14 minutes due to an ankle problem. Ta.
“Words can’t describe it,” Brunson said of his first All-Star selection. “It’s something you dream about and think about as a kid. … But it’s fun to be able to do this and see the joy it brought to the family.” .
“And to see the reaction of the city and how they’ve embraced me, it’s incredible.”
In fact, the former Villanova star is beloved at Madison Square Garden, leading the Knicks (33-22) to the East Division favorites along with injured three-time All-Star forward Julius Randle. while constantly hearing chants of “MVP”. Attending the weekend festival as he recovers from a dislocated right shoulder.
Brunson was originally a second-round pick by the Mavericks in 2018 and signed with the Knicks as a free agent in 2022, but he averaged 27.6 points and a career-high 6.5 assists per game in 52 games. It is ranked 8th.
Brunson said in a separate interview with ESPN that the Knicks, who lost five of six games before the suspension amid a rash of injuries, “have the potential to be really good,” and that “we have the potential to do a lot of really good things.” He said he believed that “there is a sex.” Once they start getting healthy.
“I know a lot of Knicks fans want us to get to the Eastern Conference Finals. We came close last year,” Brunson said. “For us…I don’t think we can look forward to the playoffs. We have to focus on each day and get better and get better little by little.”
