Jalen let him win.
On Saturday, the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson competed in the 2025 NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest but was eliminated in the first round after scoring 18 points, one short of advancing. He tied with reigning champ Damian Lillard as the first to be eliminated. Tyler Herro ultimately won the event, edging out Buddy Hield in a dramatic final round.
The contest featured 27 shots, including two deep “Starry balls” worth three points. Eight players participated, with the top three advancing to the finals. Jalen started strong, hitting four of five from the corner, but struggled on the wings and with his moneyball rack, making just two of five. Afterward, he admitted rushing his final rack, which hurt his rhythm and cost him points.
In the first round, Herro scored 19 points to advance alongside Darius Garland (24) and Hield (31), the latter putting on a dominant performance. In the finals, Herro caught fire, making all five shots from the top of the arc and both Starry balls, finishing with 24 points. Garland struggled, managing just 19. Hield, after missing his first seven shots, made a late push but fell one point short, finishing with 23.
Brunson was a deserving participant and a crucial part of the Knicks’ offense. He is averaging 26.1 points per game, shooting 39.7% from three on 5.8 attempts per game.
Despite the early exit, Jalen is open to returning for the next year’s 3-Point Contest.
Go Knicks!