Jalen Brunson to host 'Saturday Night Live' season premiere on Sept. 26

NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson is set to host the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live”.

Newly crowned NBA champion Jalen Brunson is set to continue his busy offseason in September. The New York Knicks star and NBA Finals MVP will host the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” on Sept. 26.

FIRST FOUR OF SEASON 52!!!

pic.twitter.com/m8F1Hnf1gS

— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl)

September 9, 2026

Brunson, who helped the Knicks become champions this summer for the first time in 53 years, makes his hosting debut Sept. 26 with pop girl group Katseye as the musical guest. He joins Dakota Johnson, Shane Gillis and Inde Navarrette as hosts of the first four episodes of the newest season of the hit NBC sketch comedy show.

The announcement is the latest in a flurry of public appearances for Brunson since leading the Knicks past the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals in June. The 30-year-old point guard was named Finals MVP after averaging 32.6 points throughout the five-game series, including a 45-point showing in the title-clinching Game 5 that tied Michael Jordan for the most points in an NBA Finals-clinching road win.

The Knicks tip off their title defense on Oct. 20 at home against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers (

7 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock

).

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.