Jalen Brunson has helped usher in a brand new period with the Knicks, the purpose guard that was promised.
Not since Mark Jackson, means again in 1989, had the Knicks despatched a degree guard to the All-Star Sport.
One curse down, however one other lives: Brunson is an All-Star however couldn’t snap a franchise-long 3-Level Contest droop.
Brunson placed on a stable present however missed his ultimate three 3-pointers when he wanted to hit one to remain alive, failing to advance to the finals of Saturday night time’s occasion in Indianapolis.
The Bucks’ Damian Lillard gained for a second straight yr, beating out the Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Cities and Hawks’ Trae Younger for the crown at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Earlier than Brunson, eight Knicks — together with Trent Tucker twice, in 1986 and ’88 — competed within the occasion. Julius Randle fell far quick final season when he was the primary member of the workforce to be named to the competition in a decade. The Knicks, who’ve watched the likes of Steve Novak, Danilo Gallinari, Quentin Richardson, Allan Houston, Charlie Ward and Hubert Davis attempt their hand, nonetheless are awaiting their first champion.
On this yr’s contest, Brunson started chilly, hitting simply one in all his first six, however caught hearth from the highest of the important thing. He knocked down seven straight and entered his ultimate rack needing to sink three to have an opportunity at competing within the finals.
Two straight hits to start the ultimate rack introduced him to 24 factors, however that’s the place he would finish. Brunson’s ultimate three treys clanked off the rim.
Workforce Pacers — Tyrese Halburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner — gained the Expertise Problem. Falling quick had been Workforce Prime Picks (Paolo Banchero, Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama) and Workforce All-Stars (Scottie Barnes, Tyrese Maxey and Trae Younger).