After being voted as an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career, Jalen Brunson dropped 40 points to give the New York Knicks the 109-105 win at home against the Indiana Pacers.
This is the Knicks' ninth consecutive win, boosting their record to 32-17 as third in the East.
The stellar point guard was serenaded by the MSG crowd with chants of "MVP!" after a big scoring night. He was on the verge of tears when asked about being chosen to appear for his first NBA All-Star game.Fresh off his first NBA All-Star selection, Jalen Brunson scores 40 points to lead the Knicks back from 15 down in the home win!
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2024
New York has won 9 in a row and 15 of their last 17 🔥📈 pic.twitter.com/jPgs875t62
"This place is unbelievable" -@jalenbrunson1
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) February 2, 2024
Jalen Brunson gets emotional when talking about tonight's 9??th straight win, his first ever @NBA All-Star game, and The Garden faithful chanting M.V.P. #NewYorkForever | @nyknicks | @alanhahn pic.twitter.com/u6whCTBqQT
Even with an apparent eye injury, Brunson scored 11 in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks win the game where they trailed by as much as 15 points.
The Knicks played without their starting forwards Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, but the others stepped up in their absence.
Randle was also chosen as an All-Star reserve alongside Brunson.
True to this. Not new to this. #NBAAllStar x3 😤 pic.twitter.com/o9jzQanbgg
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 2, 2024
DiVincenzo scored 20 while Miles McBride had 16. Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa controlled the boards with 19 and 16 rebounds, respectively.
Jalen Smith was the highest scorer for the Pacers with 20 points. Pascal Siakam tallied 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the loss.
