Jalen Brunson won the ring. Now he’s coming for the monologue.
The New York Knicks point guard will host “Saturday Night Live” on September 26, opening the show’s new season. Pop group Katseye will serve as musical guest, NBC confirmed Wednesday.
Brunson, 29, led the Knicks to their first NBA title since 1973 this past June, closing out the San Antonio Spurs with 45 points in Game 5. He averaged 32.6 points per game across the Finals and was the unanimous choice for Finals MVP.
From Madison Square Garden to 30 Rock
SNL and sports have intersected before. Peyton Manning hosted after his Super Bowl wins. LeBron James appeared in sketches in 2019. Brunson will be the first reigning NBA champion to take the host’s role, a reflection of where the Knicks and their star have landed in American pop culture.
The invitation fits. New York’s title drought had stretched 53 years – longer than most fans had been alive. When Brunson arrived from the Dallas Mavericks in 2022, the pitch was simple: build around a player who wins with efficiency, not flash. No rim-rattling dunks, no social media moment, just 32.6 points a game when it mattered most and a ring the city had stopped expecting.
What to expect
His press conferences are honest and brief. Whether that translates into compelling TV is an open question – Brunson has never been the loudest guy in the room. But the crowd in Studio 8H on September 26 will not care much about comedic timing. They will just be glad to be there.
The SNL season premiere airs September 26 on NBC. Katseye will perform.
Source: ESPN
