The synergy creates New York autumn magic.
Jalen Brunson, who led the New York Knicks to the 2026 NBA championship – the team’s first title since 1973 – and was named Finals MVP, will host the season opener of “Saturday Night Live” on NBC Saturday, just before the Knicks open training camp and begin their quest for another title.
first read-thru of the season with @jalenbrunson1!!! pic.twitter.com/yAohsZsbn7
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) September 24, 2026
What a great night it’s going to be for New Yorkers, the Knicks and their fans, Brunson and “SNL”, which is shot in NBC’s Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan.
Brunson will join Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and LeBron James as the only people with deep NBA connections to host “SNL”. Jordan, Barkley (in his first of four times hosting) and James were active players when they hosted, and Russell was between NBA coaching jobs when he hosted.
THIS SATURDAY!!!
Jalen Brunson hosts the Season 52 Premiere of with musical guest KATSEYE! pic.twitter.com/9DSqWSBGUX— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) September 24, 2026
Ahead of Brunson hosting the opener of the show’s 52nd season, here’s a look at the NBA stars who have hosted “SNL”:
Bill Russell, November 3, 1979
After a cold open in this season 5 episode, Russell delivered his monologue, a riff on the teamwork required to win in the NBA and the teamwork required to make a great episode of SNL – with a big man in the middle of it all necessary for both to excel.
He appeared in several skits, including one with Bill Murray who played a sports radio talk-show host who knew nothing about basketball – while promoting Russell’s actual book Second Wind.
Russell was a serious man, especially about basketball and social justice, but he loved to laugh and hearing that Russell cackle was always a delight.
Musical guest: Chicago
So happy for @jalenbrunson1! My Dad, Bill Russell, was the first NBA player to host! https://t.co/acrW6e26ZL pic.twitter.com/BzPLMUCyIQ
— Karen Kenyatta Russell🍀 (@Karen_Russell) September 9, 2026
Michael Jordan, September 28, 1991
Jordan was coming off his first NBA championship, and his stardom was skyrocketing when he was the guest host for the season 17 opener. Wearing sunglasses for his monologue, Jordan brought his trademark swagger to the set and allowed “SNL” writers to push comedy boundaries.
The highlight of Jordan’s skits in this episode was his bit on Stuart Smalley’s Daily Affirmations. Played by Al Franken, Smalley tries to boost his insufficient self-esteem by looking into a mirror and acknowledging “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough and doggone it, people like me.”
With Jordan sitting next to him, Franken’s character says, “I can imagine a night before a game, you must lie awake thinking, ‘I’m not good enough. Everybody’s better than me. I’m not going to score any points. I have no business playing this game.’ ”
“Well, not really,” Jordan replied.
By the end of the skit, Jordan looks in the mirror, barely containing his laughter and repeats what Smalley says: “I don’t have to be a great basketball player. I don’t have to dribble the ball fast or throw the ball into the basket. Because all I have to do is be the best Michael I can be. Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough and doggone it, people like me.”
It’s a classic.
Musical guest: Public Enemy
Charles Barkley, Sept. 25, 1993; Jan. 9, 2010; Jan. 7, 2012; March 3, 2018
Barkley is a natural in front of the camera, and he has the comedic chops to warrant his “SNL” appearances. His first guest host duties came in the season 19 opener – just a few months after Jordan’s Bulls defeated Barkley’s Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. Barkley was also just a few months removed from earning the regular-season MVP award.
For that episode, Barkley cut a promo with Nirvana, saying, “Hi, I’m Charles Barkley, host of the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” with Nirvana. Look mom, your favorite, Nirvana” with Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic standing in the shot.
Twenty-five years later, he hosted for the fourth time. There’s a reason the show has asked him back – he’s a good sport about it, able to poke fun while allowing the “SNL” writers to poke fun at him.
Musical guests: Nirvana, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Migos
LeBron James, September 29, 2007
Getting ready to start his fifth NBA season, James was just 22 years old – he hadn’t yet won his first MVP or first title – when he hosted the opener of “SNL”’s 33rd season.
He entered the set for his monologue, dancing to center stage and cracked a joke, “For those of you who don’t watch basketball, this past season we went to the NBA Finals, and we swept the San Antonio Spurs in four games, and for those of you who do watch basketball, be cool and shut up. There’s no reason to ruin it for everybody else.”
He was also a natural, appearing in several humorous skits including a good one with Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis. James has carved out a little slice of the entertainment world with several shows and movies he has produced and appeared in, including Space Jam: A New Legacy and a role alongside Hader and Amy Schumer in Trainwreck.
“To be a part of the “Saturday Night Live” legacy is something that’s a dream come true,” James said at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. “It’s been on, obviously, my entire life, and seeing so many great actors grace those skits every single Saturday and so many entertainers that come there and do their bits, as well, it was fun. It was super fun, and hopefully I get the opportunity to do it again. I would love to do it again. I was so young.”
Musical guest: Kanye West
***
Jeff Zillgitt has covered the NBA since 2008. You can email him at jzillgitt@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
