The New York Knicks are your 2025-26 NBA All-Star Shooting Stars champions.
While it’s hardly exciting (if at all), even when compared to the near-exhibition-type feel the NBA Cup provides, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Knicks legend Allan Houston did capture the title while out in Los Angeles.
Team Knicks needed to beat a score of 39 — set by a trio of Duke Blue Devils dubbed Team Cameron, comprised of the Atlanta Hawks’ Jalen Johnson, the Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Knueppel, and former NBA player Corey Maggette — and they came away with 47 points in the final round.
The Shooting Stars competition is something of a unique “Around the World” type of competition. It begins with a basic layup (box) shot, with an assist from a passer (Knicks’ assistant coach Rick Brunson).
The trio ultimately makes its way around the half-court, ultimately finishing with an extended dead-center 3-point shot.
New York’s order featured KAT first, Houston second, and Mr. Clutch himself, Brunson, third. Not surprisingly, Houston’s legend contributions helped tip the Knickerbockers over the edge, as his deep three tied it at 39, which set up Brunson to clinch it. (Houston added another 4-pointer for good measure, extending Team Knicks’ official final tally to 47.)
The two teams that were knocked out in the opening round of this four-team competition were Team Harpers and Team All-Star, a potpourri squad without a unique theme. Here’s a snapshot of the four squads and how the event finished:
- Team Knicks (Winners): Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks), and Allan Houston (Knicks Legend).
- Team Cameron (Finalists): Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), and Corey Maggette (Duke and NBA Legend).
- Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Chet Holmgren (OKC Thunder), and Richard Hamilton (NBA Legend).
- Team Harpers: Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs), Ron Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics), and Ron Harper Sr. (NBA Legend)
The NBA brought the Shooting Stars competition back after an 11-year hiatus. The last time the event was played at All-Star Weekend was back in 2015.
Elsewhere on All-Star Saturday Night, Damian Lillard captured the 3-Point Shooting Contest title once again. The Portland Trail Blazers legend has won three of the last four, and his third championship ties him with Larry Bird and Gil Hodges for the most in history.
The Miami Heat’s Keshad Johnson came away with the Slam-Dunk title.
Once Sunday’s festivities have concluded — featuring you know, the actual NBA All-Star Game, just in a wildly different format — the New York Knicks will reconvene with one goal in mind.
The first test will be the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
