The King of New York is Official: Jalen Brunson Named All-Star Starter
NEW YORK, NY — If you walk into any bodega in the five boroughs today, the coffee tastes a little better. Jalen Brunson was just named a starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, and for Knicks fans, this feels like a collective “I told you so” to the rest of the country. This isn’t just a stats thing; it’s a respect thing for a guy who has spent his entire career being told he was too small, too slow, or too expensive.
“The fourth quarter is what a lot of the best guys in the league get paid for.”
Keyonte George (43 PTS) on coming up clutch in the fourth quarter en route to a new career high in PTS!
Jazz completed the 15-PT comeback to defeat the Timberwolves. pic.twitter.com/w36LBUrG9p
— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2026
Beyond the $104 Million Receipt
Remember the summer of 2022? The “experts” laughed when the Knicks gave Brunson $104 million. They called it a desperate move for a secondary player. Fast forward to today, and that contract looks like the biggest heist in the history of the Garden. Brunson isn’t just a starter; he’s the engine of a team that has firmly planted itself in the **top three of the Eastern Conference**.
He is currently putting up **27.6 points and nearly 7 assists per game**, but the numbers don’t capture the way he plays. He’s a “1970s game” trapped in a modern body, using footwork and head fakes to embarrass defenders who are six inches taller. He’s the first Knicks guard to start an All-Star game since the legendary Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and he did it by winning over the players and the media, not just a thirsty fan base with high-speed internet.
Inside the Huddle
“I’ve sat in Section 210 for twenty years, and I’ve never seen a guy take over the city’s heart this fast. He doesn’t complain, he doesn’t hunt highlights, he just wins. Seeing him start in the All-Star game? That’s for every kid who was told they weren’t big enough to play.” — Anthony “Tone” Russo, Lifelong Knicks Season Ticket Holder
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
This selection puts a massive bullseye on the Knicks’ back for the second half of the season. Being an All-Star starter means Brunson is no longer the “underdog” story—he’s the guy every defensive coordinator is staying up until 2:00 AM to solve.
The Knicks are currently battling the Bucks and Celtics for home-court advantage. With the trade deadline looming, don’t be surprised if the front office moves some of their draft capital to get Brunson a legitimate backup big man. They know they have a window now. Brunson starting in San Francisco is great for the brand, but if you’ve watched him play a single minute this year, you know the only thing he actually wants is a parade down Canyon of Heroes. He’s playing like a man who knows the job isn’t even half-finished.
