Jalen Brunson admitted he’ll take a day to replicate on his preliminary All-Star showcase expertise on Monday earlier than refocusing his consideration on the Knicks’ 27-game stretch run beginning Thursday night time towards the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Brunson soaked up his deserved league-wide accolades by taking part within the 3-Level Contest on Saturday night time and scoring 12 factors in 17 minutes in Sunday’s All-Star Recreation in Indianapolis, the primary of his profession.
And now it’s time to get again to work.
“Clearly, there’s possibilities,” Brunson stated Saturday when requested in regards to the Knicks’ postseason alternative this spring. “However I believe for us we are able to’t give attention to that. Now we have to focus on Philly, our first recreation out of the break, and go from there.
“The perfect half in regards to the journey is simply taking it step-by-step. And it’s one thing we are able to’t look previous, in any respect.”
Nonetheless, basketball has all the time been a household affair for Brunson, and his time in Indy was no completely different.
The Knicks’ level guard grew up across the recreation throughout his father Rick’s nine-year NBA enjoying profession and his subsequent seasons as an assistant coach within the league, together with the previous two seasons collectively in New York.
The youthful Brunson envisioned himself being on this place at some point, and he’s been glad to share the expertise along with his dad and mom, with mother Sandra additionally in attendance.
“It’s form of coming full circle. I keep in mind being across the league as a child and all the time dreaming of getting alternatives like this. And right here I’m,” Brunson stated. “It’s one thing I gained’t take with no consideration, for positive.”
The 27-year-old Brunson was one in every of 4 first-time All-Stars this season, all on the East squad, together with Paolo Banchero (Magic), Scottie Barnes (Raptors) and Tyrese Maxey (76ers).
Damian Lillard scored 39 factors and had 11 made 3-pointers, together with two halfcourt jumpers within the second half, to earn the Kobe Bryant Trophy as All-Star MVP. Hometown hero Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers contributed 32 factors within the East’s record-setting 211-186 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Karl-Anthony Cities led all scorers with 50 factors for the West, and LeBron James registered eight in his league-record twentieth All-Star look — though he performed solely 14 minutes on account of an ankle challenge.
“I can’t actually put it into phrases,” Brunson stated of being a first-time All-Star. “It’s one thing you dream of and one thing you consider as a child. … However to have the ability to do that and to have the ability to see the enjoyment it’s introduced my household, it’s enjoyable.
“And to see the town, the way it’s reacted and the way they’ve embraced me, it’s unbelievable.”
![Jalen Brunson #11 of the NY Knicks shoots ball during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/user-expressly-acknowledges-agrees-downloading-76775584.jpg?w=1024)
Certainly, the previous Villanova star is beloved at Madison Sq. Backyard, listening to fixed “MVP” chants whereas main the Knicks (33-22) again into contender standing within the East alongside injured three-time All-Star ahead Julius Randle, who didn’t attend the weekend festivities as he makes an attempt to recuperate from a dislocated proper shoulder.
Brunson, initially a second-round decide by the Mavericks in 2018 earlier than signing with the Knicks as a free agent in 2022, ranks eighth within the league in scoring at 27.6 factors per recreation with a career-high 6.5 assists over 52 appearances.
Brunson stated in a separate interview with ESPN that he believes the Knicks, who dropped 5 of six video games forward of the break amid a rash of accidents “might be actually good” and “we now have the potential to do lots of actually good issues” as they begin to get wholesome.
“I do know lots of Knicks followers need to put us proper within the Japanese Convention Finals. We had been one step brief final 12 months,” Brunson stated. “I believe for us … we are able to’t look ahead to the playoffs. Now we have to give attention to each single day, simply chipping away and getting higher and higher.”