Host Jalen Brunson Brings the Knicks to Premiere of 'SNL,' with Many Nods to Team's NBA Title Run
Brunson becomes the first active NBA player to host the show since LeBron James in 2007, while KATSEYE makes its musical guest debut.
- On Saturday, September 26, 2026, New York Knicks star and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson hosted the 52nd season premiere of Saturday Night Live. The episode featured musical guest KATSEYE, marking the debut for both the host and the K-pop-influenced group.
- Brunson's hosting appearance follows his 2026 season leading the Knicks to their first NBA Championship in 53 years. He becomes the first active NBA player to host the program since LeBron James in 2007.
- Knicks teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart joined Brunson onstage during the monologue. Hart asked if Brunson took a "$113 million pay cut just to re-sign with the Knicks," which the point guard confirmed is true.
- The season premiere, broadcast on NBC and Peacock, launched a new slate of episodes with future hosts including Dakota Johnson and Shane Gillis. The program continues with musical guests Turnstile, Rosalia, and Gracie Abrams.
- Season 52 introduces featured players Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter to the ensemble. The production bid farewell to longtime cast member Chloe Fineman and writer Martin Herlihy, who both appeared in sketches during the previous season.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Host Jalen Brunson brings the Knicks to premiere of ‘SNL,’ with many nods to team’s NBA title run
Jalen Brunson brought four of his NBA champion teammates to “Saturday Night Live.” The reigning NBA Finals MVP had four of his New York Knicks teammates — Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, O.G. Anunoby and Josh Hart — in the audience for his monologue Saturday night, in his role as host of the NBC program’s 52nd...
Jalen Brunson Gets Help from Knicks Teammates During 'SNL' Opening Monologue, Answers Their Burning Questions
Jalen Brunson is hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live and he brought along his New York Knicks teammates […] The post Jalen Brunson Gets Help from Knicks Teammates During ‘SNL’ Opening Monologue, Answers Their Burning Questions appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
Idaho State Journal
Host Jalen Brunson brings the Knicks to premiere of 'SNL,' with many nods to team's NBA title run
Jalen Brunson brought his NBA champion teammates to "Saturday Night Live" for the show's 52nd season premiere. The New York star and reigning NBA Finals MVP hosted the episode, with Knicks teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, O.G. Anunoby, and Josh…
Jalen Brunson's Knicks Teammates Join Him During 'SNL' Monologue
Saturday Night Live kicked off its 52nd season with a victory lap for Knicks fans, as host Jalen Brunson was joined onstage by his teammates. The 2026 MVP swapped some quips with teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart during his opening monologue on Saturday’s episode, which comes after they defeated the […]
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