NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts after making a three pointer during the fourth quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 23, 2024 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Damian Lillard Being Named 2024 All-Star Starter Over Jalen Brunson Baffles NBA Fans

Julia StumbaughJan 25, 2024

Jalen Brunson is averaging a career-high 26.6 points per game for the New York Knicks through 42 contests this season.

That still wasn't enough to make him a starter at the 2024 All-Star Game in Indianapolis.

Brunson's name was absent from the NBA's Thursday night announcement of the Eastern Conference's starting five.

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Fans began to question why Brunson was facing his second straight year without an All-Star starting spot when the Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard, in his first year in the conference, was offered a starting role.

After averaging more than 30 points for the Portland Trail Blazers last season, Lillard's production has dropped to 25.3 points per game this season.

Meanwhile, Brunson's points per game average currently ranks him among the top 12 scorers in the league.

Voting for the 10 starters in the Eastern and Western conferences was determined in large part by a weighted voting system favoring fan voting, which received a 50 percent weight in the results. Media and player votes were weighted at 25 percent each.

Brunson finished second in media voting but did not get a large enough share of the fan vote to earn the starting spot, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

The rest of the Eastern Conference starting lineup features Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Brunson could still make it onto the roster. Reserves, which are voted on by NBA coaches, will be announced Feb. 1 prior to the Feb. 18 All-Star Game.