This is why you call him captain — because when the Knicks needed him most, Jalen Brunson delivered. With OG Anunoby sidelined due to a right foot sprain and New York’s defense scrambling without its best stopper,

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

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.