The NBA All-Star starters are set, and while the Knicks are sending one of their own to Los Angeles, there’s a noticeable absence that says a lot about where this team stands halfway through the season.
Jalen Brunson is in. That part was never really in doubt.
The Knicks’ floor general has been the stabilizing force in a season full of transition, earning his second consecutive All-Star starting nod and third overall appearance since arriving in New York in 2022. He’s been the engine behind the Knicks’ offense, averaging 28.2 points and 6.1 assists per game while shooting nearly 49% from the field and just under 39% from deep.
Those numbers aren’t just solid - they’re elite, and they’ve only improved under new head coach Mike Brown.
But the other half of last season’s All-Star duo? That’s where the drop-off is impossible to ignore.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who started in last year’s All-Star Game under Tom Thibodeau, didn’t make the cut this time around. And it’s not just about the votes - it’s about the numbers, the eye test, and the Knicks’ recent slide in the standings.
Towns has struggled to find his rhythm in Brown’s new system. His offensive production is down across the board: fewer shots, fewer points, and career-low shooting percentages - just 46.6% from the field and 35.7% from three.
For a player whose offensive versatility is supposed to offset his defensive limitations, that’s a tough pill to swallow. Add in persistent foul trouble and a Knicks team that’s dropped eight of its last ten, and it’s clear why Towns is on the outside looking in.
The Eastern Conference starters - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham, and of course, Brunson - reflect the league’s youth movement and the rise of dynamic two-way talent. Towns, meanwhile, is now hoping for a reserve spot, with the coaches set to make their picks on February 1.
But the competition for those reserve slots is steep.
Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson is putting up eye-popping numbers: 23 points, 10 boards, 8 assists - the kind of stat line that demands recognition. Donovan Mitchell remains a lock.
Orlando’s healthy standout, Desmond Bane, has been a revelation. Toronto’s Brandon Ingram is making noise up north.
And Miami’s trio of Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo all have legitimate cases. Even Josh Giddey, now in Chicago, is flirting with triple-doubles on a nightly basis.
And then there’s the wild card crew - LaMelo Ball’s volume scoring in Charlotte, Michael Porter Jr.’s offensive explosion in Brooklyn, and emerging bigs like Jalen Duren in Detroit, who’s helping the Pistons surge to a 30-10 record. Boston’s Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are quietly putting up near-identical numbers and pushing the Celtics past the Knicks in the standings. Cleveland’s Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are also in the mix.
In that crowd, Towns’ 20 points and 11 rebounds per game - while still impressive on paper - don’t carry the same weight, especially when paired with inconsistent defense and a team that’s slipping in the standings.
It’s a far cry from last year, when Towns looked like a sure thing, even as Thibodeau’s system didn’t fully unleash his offensive arsenal. The Knicks were surging, making their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, and Towns was a big part of that narrative.
This year, the story is different.
Mike Brown still believes in Towns’ talent. He’s said as much, emphasizing KAT’s rebounding instincts and encouraging him to stay aggressive.
“I’m gonna keep trying to help [him] out. I’m gonna keep trying to find ways to help [him] get good looks and touch the ball and make plays,” Brown said.
“Keep doing your part by bringing it as best you can defensively, and when you have an opportunity to score, go score it, and when you don’t, go rebound it. It’s as simple as that.”
Simple, yes - but not easy.
For Towns, the path to another All-Star appearance is now in the hands of the coaches. His numbers still suggest he’s capable of making an impact, but with the East as deep and competitive as it’s been in years, and with the Knicks floundering after a hot start, it may not be enough.
The All-Star Game is a reflection of both individual excellence and team success. Brunson has delivered both. Towns, for now, is still searching for the balance.