Jalen Brunson is steering clear of any animosity.
The New York Knicks star and NBA champion stepped up to defend sports analyst Monica McNutt after she inadvertently criticized Taylor Swift during a hot mic incident.
During McNutt’s interview with the NBA Finals 2026 MVP following his team’s remarkable victory in San Antonio on Saturday, Brunson took the microphone to address the Swiftie community, which had been targeting the ESPN analyst online.
“I just want to say something to the Swifties. She’s truly one of the good ones,” the 29-year-old athlete remarked about McNutt, 36, as captured in a video circulating online.
“Give her a break. Everything’s fine, I assure you,” Brunson concluded.
McNutt replied, “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Page Six has reached out to McNutt’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.
During Game 4 of the NBA Finals last Wednesday, McNutt was caught making a shady comment about Swift, who sat courtside in Madison Square Garden with her pals Alana and Este Haim.
“Is that Taylor Swift down there?” McNutt asked in the viral clip.
When fellow announcer Tyler Murray replied that he didn’t think Swift was there, McNutt pointed out the “Bad Blood” singer by describing her “long ponytail” and “blue” outfit.
Murray then whipped his phone out to take a picture of the pop star for his wife.
“She’s not a Knicks fan,” McNutt said. “Get out of here, girl.”
The following day, McNutt told TMZ that though she “misspoke” about Swift’s Knicks fandom, the Grammy winner hasn’t been to a home game for the team all season.
“I literally just did a piece on celebrity row. I know these folks: Ben Stiller, his wife Christine, Spike Lee. I had not seen her here, this year or last year,” she told the outlet.
“We just saw her in Cleveland with her fiancé. Obviously, Travis [Kelce] supports the Cavs. She didn’t have on any Knicks paraphernalia,” McNutt continued. “So, I did not know of her Knicks loyalty. But shoutout to T-Swift. We can be united in orange and blue.”
McNutt said she “was wrong” for her remarks and that “nobody cared” about her comments because the Knicks came back from being down 29 points to win that game.