Jalen Brunson, Knicks take Kia Shooting Stars crown with 47-point run
Jalen Brunson and his Knicks teammates fired up a blistering 47 points to claim the Kia Shooting Stars title on All-Star Saturday Night, outpacing Team Cameron's 38 in the final. The event, back after an 11-year hiatus, returned to the All-Star weekend program at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood and showcased precision, rhythm and teamwork in a timed shooting gauntlet.
Brunson delivers veteran poise as Knicks cruise through the course
Brunson — an Eastern Conference All-Star starter for the second straight season — was a steady presence as Team Knicks navigated the seven-station course. The revived format uses a two-round structure: each team has 70 seconds in the first round to rack up points by rotating through seven designated shooting locations, with all three teammates shooting at each spot in a fixed order. The two top-scoring teams advance to a head-to-head final that repeats the same course.
With Brunson handling ball movement and making key looks, the Knicks built a cushion that proved decisive in the championship heat. His poise in flow situations and ability to find rhythm in quick-fire sequences helped keep the team on tempo through the timed stations. While the event rewards collective efficiency rather than individual box-score heroics, Brunson's command of pace and shot selection stood out as a core reason the Knicks posted the evening's highest total.
Team chemistry and a familiar face seal the deal
The Knicks pairing of Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, joined by former Knick Houston, combined modern shooting touch with veteran savvy. Towns brought his range and touch at the big-man spots, while Houston's familiarity with the competition's layout and historical success in the event provided a steadier hand. That blend of contemporary shooting and past experience allowed the group to minimize errors and capitalize on quick transitions from one shooting station to the next.
The event's return to the All-Star schedule after more than a decade added a nostalgic edge. Traditionally, teams mixed current players with a legend or WNBA star to produce a lively, cross-generational showcase. For fans watching the rapid-fire sequence of catch-and-shoot attempts, the renewed Shooting Stars contest delivered just that — a compact test of range, rhythm and teamwork that rewarded execution under the clock.
What the win means and what's next
Beyond a trophy and bragging rights for the weekend, the Shooting Stars victory highlighted Brunson's role as a leader capable of producing in varied formats. It also underscored the Knicks' depth in shooting and the value of complementary skill sets when the pressure mounts. The competition ran Saturday night during All-Star festivities; coverage began at 5: 00 p. m. ET, with tipoff shortly after the 3-Point Contest wrapped up.
For Brunson, the win is an off-court affirmation of his season-long form, while for the team it is a small but visible reminder that disciplined shotmaking and crisp execution can pay dividends in any setting. As the All-Star weekend progresses, the Shooting Stars event served as a lively appetizer, celebrating shooting craft and teamwork before the marquee attractions later in the weekend.
