Jalen Brunson makes Knicks history hosting SNL season 52 premiere

Live from New York, it’s Knicks MVP Jalen Brunson.Jalen Brunson once again made Knicks history as the first Big Apple basketball star from the franchise to host “Saturday Night Live.”Brunson, who just turned 30 earlier this month, traded in his basketball skills for sketch comedy as he dazzled in the season 52 premiere of “SNL” featuring musical guest pop group Katseye on Saturday night.Fresh off the back of his thrilling run to the NBA championship which ended the Knicks’ 53-year title drought, Brunson opened his monologue nonchalantly saying he had a “pretty good summer.”Brunson quipped about how he’s excited to return to the iconic Madison Square Garden for the upcoming season in “the exact same spot where Taylor and Travis got married” in July.Fellow Knicks players, Josh Hart, Ogugua “OG” Anunoby Jr., Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns were in the audience at 30 Rockefeller for Brunson’s hosting debut and later joined him on stage.During his monologue, Brunson took audience questions from his fellow Championship-winning team members which included if he could foul out of “SNL” and if he really took a $113 million pay cut re-signing with the Knicks.Brunson even put Hart on the spot, asking the shooting guard why he poked his thumb into his backside on live television while celebrating winning the NBA Cup in December 2025 which became a viral internet clip.

The Knicks MVP is the just the fifth NBA player to host in the show’s almost 51-year run — following in the footsteps of Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and three-time host Charles Barkely, according to a list compiled by Sporting News.Brunson is also only the third athlete from a New York-based team to host the late-night show, joining former Giants great Eli Manning and Yankees hall of famer Derek Jeter.Ahead of the nor’easter set to pummel the Big Apple, the first-time host surprised dedicated fans braving the elements Friday night trying to secure tickets ...