Report: Knicks’ Jalen Brunson to Join 2024 NBA 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend
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Jalen Brunson is set for a busy NBA All-Star Weekend.
The New York Knicks point guard has accepted an invitation to participate in the 3-Point Contest, according to TNT Sports’ Chris Haynes.
Brunson, who also earned his first All-Star nod on Thursday, is currently in the midst of the best three-point shooting season of his six-year career. He’s currently hitting 42.2 percent of his looks from behind the arc on 6.6 attempts per game.
While Brunson has always been an effective shooter with a career 39.4 three-point percentage, his ability to maintain his efficiency while increasing the difficulty of his shot diet during his 2023-24 campaign has been impressive. The 27-year-old is attempting a career-high 4.1 pull-up threes per game this season, connecting on 39.7 percent of them throughout his 46 starts (via NBA.com).
Brunson has showcased his improved long-range accuracy on several occasions during the regular season, which included his 50-point game in a win over the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 15. He went 9-9 from behind the arc that night to become the first player in franchise history to score 50 points while connecting on at least nine triples, per ESPN.
Although the complete field of participants in the competition isn’t currently known, one confirmed player is Damian Lillard (via Haynes). The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star is reportedly expected to defend his title, as Lillard was the winner of the 2023 contest.
Brunson will attempt to become the first player in Knicks history to win the competition. He’s only the ninth New York player to compete in the contest, with Julius Randle’s attempt in 2023 representing the most recent involvement by a Knick.