Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will take the floor alongside the game’s elite, an achievement that highlights just how far this Knicks team has come. The last time the franchise sent two starters to an All-Star Game? In 1975, when Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe suited up.

Aside from what he’s done individually, Towns’ skill set and presence has helped create one of the best offenses in basketball. It’s not just his shot making, it’s his passing. It’s not just his size, but the gravity he provides as a shooter at his size.

Karl-Anthony Towns’ shooting slump since returning from a thumb injury continued Saturday night, with just 11 points on 3-for-11 shooting in the Knicks’ loss to the Lakers. The first-time All-Star starter is averaging 17.