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The NBA has announced the 2024 All-Star starters and reserves on Thursday night with LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo captaining the West and East squads, respectively. Jalen Brunson was named the Eastern Conference All-Stars reserve by NBA coaches after the New York Knicks point guard was snubbed for a starting spot by the fans.
In the 2023-24 regular season, Brunson is averaging 26.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. Apart from Brunson, Sixers' Tyrese Maxey and Magic's Paolo Banchero also received their maiden NBA All-Star call-up as the Eastern Conference All-Stars reserves.
The 27-year-old Brunson recorded a 40-point game in the Knicks' home win against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and later reflected on his maiden NBA All-Star selection. In the post-game interview, when asked about hearing the MVP chants at the Madison Square Garden and being named to his first All-Star game on the same night, an emotional Brunson choked up and said, "I got nothing to say."
Watch Jalen Brunson react to MVP chants and All-Star selection:
Tyrese Maxey and Paolo Banchero named Eastern Conference All-Stars reserves
Philadelphia 76ers' star guard Tyrese Maxey had a career-high 51-point game against the Jazz on Thursday to help his side win the road game by three points in the absence of reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid. The 23-year-old Maxey is averaging 25.7 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game.
After his career-high performance, Maxey was asked about the All-Star selection show, which he was not able to watch due to his mother and teammate Joel Embiid kept Facetiming him.
Watch Tyrese Maxey reacts to his first All-Star selection:
Magic show love to Paolo Banchero's maiden All-Star selection
As soon as Paolo Banchero was named in the 2024 Eastern Conference All-Stars reserves, his Magic teammates showered love on the 21-year-old forward.
Watch the video here:
Banchero is averaging 23 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 NBA regular season. The 2024 NBA Eastern Conference starters include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum while LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic made the 2024 NBA Western Conference starters.
