NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson hosted the 52nd season premiere of 'Saturday Night Live,' joined by several of his New York Knicks teammates.

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson hosted the 52nd season premiere of NBC’s "Saturday Night Live" on Saturday. The reigning NBA Finals MVP was joined on stage by teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, O.G. Anunoby, and Josh Hart, who participated in his opening monologue. Brunson is the first active NBA player to host the show since LeBron James in 2007.

Monologue and Teammate Cameos

During his monologue, Brunson addressed his performance expectations, joking that the show's first three quarters would be "god-awful" while the final sketch would be "amazing." He was joined by cast member Kenan Thompson, who portrayed ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith to offer an apology for past doubts regarding Brunson's abilities and the Knicks' championship potential. Brunson's teammates also took part in a Q&A segment, with Josh Hart questioning Brunson about his contract, and O.G. Anunoby referencing a key shot from the NBA Finals.

Sketch Performances

Beyond the monologue, Brunson appeared in a sketch titled "High School Musical the New Generation." In the segment, he played a new student who joins a school basketball team, ultimately outperforming other players with a series of defensive rejections and scoring plays. The sketch also featured Brunson participating in a musical number alongside cast members Jeremy Culhane and Veronika Slowikowska.

Historical Context

Brunson’s appearance marks the fifth time an NBA star has hosted the program, following Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and LeBron James. Brunson led the Knicks to their first championship in 53 years, averaging 32.6 points per game during the Finals. The premiere also introduced new featured players Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter to the show's cast.