Despite upping his game to another level during the 2024-25 NBA season and becoming an All-Star starter for the first time in his career, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was eliminated in the first round from the 2025 Three-Point Contest at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Brunson made four of his first five shots, hit both of the bonus Starry balls, and then hit two “money ball” shots on the final rack to finish with 18 points.
It was his second straight year competing in the event, as he finished with 24 points in the first round of last year’s contest but was also eliminated. He’ll look to rebound on Sunday night in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, playing for Kenny Smith‘s Young Stars team along with Anthony Edwards.
Brunson is the ninth player in Knicks franchise history to participate in the three-point contest. The others include Julius Randle (2023), Steve Novak (2013), Danilo Gallinari (2010), Quentin Richardson (2006), Allan Houston (2001), Charlie Ward (1998), Hubert Davis (1996), and Trent Tucker (1988 and 1986).
Meanwhile, Cam Johnson became the sixth Net to compete in the event, following Patty Mills (2022), Joe Harris (2020 and 2019), Joe Johnson (2014), Anthony Morrow (2012), and Dražen Petrović (1992).
Johnson started out slow and eventually made four of his “money ball” shots to finish with 14 points, tied for last in the first round with Norman Powell. Cade Cunningham and two-time defending champ Damian Lillard also failed to make it past the first round.
Buddy Hield (31 points), Darius Garland (24 points), Tyler Herro (19 points) advanced to the final round. Herro set the mark to beat with 24 points and narrowly defeated Hield (23 points) to win the 2025 Three-Point Contest.
