In recognition of the annual appointment of players to hoop in the mid-season showpiece, this Kia Race to the MVP Ladder is dedicated to those who’ll play in next month’s All-Star Game. Every player repping this week’s ladder is an All-Star.

For the first time in nearly a half-century, the Knicks have two All-Star starters. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Kevin Durant earned his 15th All-Star nod on Thursday, and he will earn a nice bonus thanks to a contract incentive.

Jalen Brunson, who was born in New Brunswick and was snubbed as a starter last year, will start in the backcourt, while Piscataway native and former St. Joe’s-Metuchen big man Karl-Anthony Towns will start in the frontcourt. The game is set for Feb. 16 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

So some like Alperen Sengun, Domantas Sabonis and Jaren Jackson might get reserve spots. But the real tough decision is measuring Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Anthony Davis against Victor Wembanyama. I’ll go with Durant and LeBron this time — and assume the other two will be in the game.

Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant was voted a starter for ... Cleveland Cavaliers forward Donovan Mitchell and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. The coaches vote for the All-Star reserves ...

NBA All-Star Game will feature an innovative tournament-style format with four teams competing in a series of three games. Headliners include LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant. The new format aims to enhance competition and fan engagement.

If there is any hopeful throwback to Knicks history it is that the last time the Knicks had two starters in the All-Star Game it was in 1975 when Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe made up the backcourt.

The Knicks will have two representatives in the starting lineup during the NBA All-Star Game on Feb 16. in San Francisco, Calif.

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant was named an NBA All-Star Game starter in the frontcourt for the Western Conference on Thursday.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were named ... Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Nikola Jokic ...

The NBA All-Star Game starters were announced Thursday and there are a lot of familiar names, such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. While there were some new starters (hello, Jalen Brunson!), there were no big surprises.