Jalen Brunson finally got some recognition.
The Knicks point guard was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Stars on Thursday, an honor determined by NBA coaches after Brunson was snubbed for a starting spot by the fans.
Injured Knicks forward Julius Randle, an All-Star two of the previous three years, was also named a reserve.
The first All-Star appearance had been a stated goal that eluded Brunson until he made himself a candidate that couldn’t be refused — until he emerged as the star of a surging Knicks squad fresh off the franchise’s best month in nearly 30 years.
And even though Brunson’s selection Thursday was expected, and momentum had been building since last year, it’s still an underdog story for a second-round pick who has been doubted because of his height and lack of athleticism.
Brunson’s former Villanova coach, Jay Wright, told The Post that only an opportunity was required.
Brunson got one in New York and entered Thursday with career-high averages in points (26.8), assists (6.5), 3-point percentage (42.2%) and minutes (35.7).
“To be the toast of the town and leading New York, I can’t say I saw that happening,” Wright said. “But being this effective as a basketball player and this efficient, I’m not shocked. It’s really impressive. But I’m more impressed that he got the opportunity. I thought it was really brilliant on [Tom Thibodeau’s] part, and brilliant on Leon [Rose’s] part. That’s what I’m more surprised about. That he got the opportunity in that league.”
Brunson was on the cusp last year of an All-Star selection but didn’t make the cut.
He was then shut out of the postseason awards despite being a candidate for All-NBA, Most Improved and Most Clutch.
This year, he was second in media voting for the starters (behind only Tyrese Haliburton), third in player voting (behind Haliburton and Tyrese Maxey) but fifth in fan voting (behind Haliburton, Trae Young, Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell).
That sent Brunson to the pool of reserves, and he was an obvious choice for the coaches vote.
The East starters are Haliburton, who the Knicks faced on Thursday at MSG, Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum.