Jalen Brunson lifts Team Knicks to Shooting Stars Challenge title

Team Knicks headed into the Kia Shooting Stars Challenge on Saturday as the favorite, and it didn’t disappoint.

Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston and their celebrity passer, Knicks assistant and Jalen’s dad Rick Brunson, took down three other teams at Intuit Dome to bring some new hardware home to New York during All-Star Weekend in Inglewood.

The first of their competition was Team All-Star, which was made up of Raptors guard Scottie Barnes, Thunder center Chet Holmgren, Pistons legend Rip Hamilton and celebrity passer Druski.

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The next was Team Cameron, which featured Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, former Clippers forward Corey Maggette and celebrity passer Anthony Anderson.

Team Harper was the final threat, and it had Spurs guard Dylan Harper, Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. and NBA legend Ron Harper on the roster with 2 Chainz as the celebrity passer.

Before the event officially got going, the Brunsons hopped on the microphone, and Rick talked a little smack to his son, which caused Jalen to joke he was “not having a good time.”

Hamilton, who celebrated his 48th birthday Saturday, was also interviewed just prior to tip, and he, too, cracked a quip, kidding about why he was without his trademark mask for the festivities.

Each squad was given 70 seconds to score from seven spots placed around the basket and 3-point line. Made shots were worth 2, 3 or 4 points.

Team All-Star went first, and with Druski firing them passes, it disappointed with just 16 points.

Team Cameron was next up, and it scored 24 as Anderson tossed the players basketballs from afar. They left the court to “Corey” chants by the pro-Clippers fans in attendance.

Team Harper went third, and with 2 Chainz passing basketballs, it netted a total of 18.

Team Knicks rounded out the first round with a score of 31.

Team Knicks and Team Cameron advanced to the championship round, and it was the Brunsons, Towns and Houston who came out on top, 47-38. Clutch baskets from Jalen Brunson and Houston helped secure the victory.

Jalen was once again in a joking mode after getting the win, as he told the crowd whenever he’s around his dad, “it’s never fun.”

He then ribbed Rick, adding that his father was not much of a “celebrity passer.”

“But,” Jalen said, “he did his job.”

Jalen went on to say he hoped the championship would help the Knicks in the second half of their regular season.

Several celebrities were featured during breaks in the action, including Spike Lee and NSYNC’s Joey Fatone, who signed mini basketballs and gave them to fans in the stands.

Following the event, Ludacris wowed those in attendance with a concert.

Also on Saturday, Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard won the 3-point contest, joining Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only other three-time winners of the event, and the Heat’s Keshad Johnson won the slam dunk contest.