Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Delivers Strong Performance Hosting SNL Season Premiere

Clear Facts

• New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson hosted the season 52 premiere of Saturday Night Live on Saturday night.
• Brunson led the Knicks to their first NBA championship in decades and was joined by teammates Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns during the monologue.
• Brunson performed well in sketches including an office trash-throwing gag, a High School Musical parody, and a Shark Tank spoof about glasses that detect wandering eyes.

Jalen Brunson proved he can handle live comedy as the season-opening host for Saturday Night Live. The Knicks star brought teammates onstage to support his monologue after the show’s traditional political cold open.

The NBA champion handled his sketches with confidence and natural timing. One bit featured Brunson refusing to accept missing a trash can shot from across the office, a simple premise that landed solidly with the audience.

"Brunson did well, but it helped that he brought back up in the form of teammates Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns."

A pre-taped sketch parodying High School Musical gave Brunson room to showcase his basketball skills in a comedic setting. The segment drew laughs from both the studio audience and viewers at home.

"The NBA star also had a role in a great ‘Shark Tank’ parody about two entrepreneurs trying to get backing for a pair of glasses that sound an alarm any time the wearer looks at a woman’s breasts."

Brunson joins a short list of athletes who have successfully hosted the long-running sketch show. His performance suggests the Knicks star could return if the team repeats as champions.

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