RismadarVoice Reporters
September 27, 2026
NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson opened the 52nd season of Saturday Night Live with a comedy-filled appearance centred largely on his career with the New York Knicks.
Brunson, who helped the Knicks secure their first NBA championship in 53 years, hosted Saturday’s programme, with KATSEYE appearing as the musical guest.
During his opening monologue, Brunson joked that he planned to approach the show in the same manner as the Knicks’ NBA Finals games.
“The first three quarters of the show are going to be god-awful,” he said. “The last sketch is going to be amazing.”
Veteran cast member Kenan Thompson later appeared as ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, joking about Smith’s previous doubts over Brunson’s ability to lead the Knicks to an NBA championship.
“I am man enough to admit that I was wrong when the New York Knickerbockers signed you and I did not think that you were the answer,” Thompson’s character said.
Brunson’s Knicks teammates Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns also made cameo appearances, portraying audience members questioning their teammate.
“Can you foul out of ‘SNL?’” Towns asked during the segment.
Brunson also appeared in a recorded sketch titled “High School Musical: The New Generation,” playing a new student seeking a place on his school’s basketball team.
The sketch combined musical performances with basketball-themed comedy as Brunson’s character repeatedly outplayed his teammates before eventually earning their acceptance.
His appearance made him the fifth NBA player to host SNL, following Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and LeBron James.
Brunson averaged 32.6 points per game during the NBA Finals as New York captured its first championship since 1973.
Season 52 also introduced two featured players, Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter, following changes to the programme’s cast and writing team.
Musical guest KATSEYE performed “Animal” and “Hootie Frutti” during the show and also appeared in a recorded comedy sketch.
