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Story summary
Jalen Brunson, the NBA Finals MVP for the New York Knicks, hosted the premiere episode of Saturday Night Live's 52nd season on September 26, 2026. Brunson, who helped win the Knicks their first championship in 53 years by averaging 32.6 points per game during the Finals, brought four of his teammates—Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, O.G. Anunoby, and Josh Hart—to share in the spotlight. During his monologue, Brunson joked about taking a $113 million pay cut to re-sign with the Knicks and responded to questions from his teammates, including whether someone could foul out of "SNL." The show also featured musical guest Katseye and introduced new cast members Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter.
Written for “Jalen Brunson Hosts SNL” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 6 other(s) covering the same event.
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.
asserted
he → turn → 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.”
asserted
he → end → 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.
asserted
Taylor → quip → 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.
asserted
players → join → 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.
uncertain
he → take → 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.
asserted
which → put → December
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.
uncertain
MVP → host → 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.
asserted
Brunson → base → 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 inside the studio at 30 Rockefeller.
NBC pages handed out pricey Levain cookies to hopeful fans who must camp out in line from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. the night before the show’s taping to receive a number, which may or may not get them into the studio for Saturday night.
uncertain
which → set → night
And I do believe that it actually came from him and his team and they were generous because I’m sure when he hears that people are sitting on the sidewalk, even with potential tickets, that’s a big deal,” Judson said.
asserted
Judson → believe → tickets
The point god made sure that everyone in the line, which extended beyond 100 people, was handed one of the famous New York city cookies — that cost $5.75 at Levain.
asserted
that → make → Levain
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