When the NBA All-Star Game begins on February 16, a few generations of Knicks fans will experience something they’ve never seen before. For the first time in 50 years, the team has two players selected as Eastern Conference starters. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were both chosen for the starting lineup on Thursday.
The last time the Knicks had two starters in the All-Star Game was in 1975, when Clyde Frazier and Earl Monroe played together. At that time, they combined for 39 points. Although the All-Star Game’s format and importance have changed a lot since then, Brunson and Towns were still humbled by the selection and are excited to create new memories.
Brunson and Towns Celebrate Their Achievements
“I knew [starting] was a possibility, but I didn’t get my hopes up too high. Just very thankful,” Brunson said on Friday. “It’s individual, but it’s a team award… I’m thankful to the fans who voted, the players and coaches as well. I don’t take it lightly… You work your whole life for moments like this.”
Brunson, who will be playing in his second All-Star Game with the Knicks, earned his spot as a starter by leading the team with an average of 26.0 points and 7.3 assists in 45 games. His efforts have helped the Knicks stay in the top three of the conference standings. He finished second in both player and media voting, just behind Donovan Mitchell.
Towns, who will make his fifth All-Star appearance, has been dominant on the court, averaging 13.9 rebounds per game, which is the best in the East.
He is also scoring 25.1 points per game, his highest since the 2019-20 season, while shooting 54.5 percent. Towns is the first Knicks center to be selected for the All-Star Game since Tyson Chandler in 2013.
“It’s really special to be able to do it with a teammate,” Towns said. “Shoutout to JB and our coaches and teammates because they made it possible. We’re just there to represent our whole team. These guys are the reason that we’re able to go out there and do what we do.”
Towns also expressed how meaningful it was to be mentioned alongside Knicks legends like Frazier and Monroe. “I grew up in this area, for my name to be even close with them is something you just dream about when you’re young.
I’m super honored, to say the least. I’m just really happy I have this opportunity to represent my teammates, because they’re the reason we’re able to do this.”
With nine games left before the All-Star break, the Knicks (29-16) will start a five-game homestand on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings. Brunson and Towns are the first Knicks players selected for the All-Star starting lineup since Carmelo Anthony in 2016.
