Jalen Brunson is coming to Monica McNutt’s defense after the New York Knicks radio analyst faced backlash over comments she made about Taylor Swift.
Following the Knicks’ championship-clinching Game 5 victory on Saturday (June 13), the NBA Finals MVP addressed the controversy surrounding McNutt’s remarks during the Game 4 broadcast, when she questioned the pop superstar’s loyalty to the team.
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Amid the postgame celebration, Brunson crossed paths with McNutt and offered words of support while sending a playful message to Swift’s devoted fanbase.
“I just want to say something to the Swifities,” the basketball star said as McNutt laughed beside him. “She’s a really good one, cut her some slack. It’s all good, I promise.”
Brunson’s comments came after McNutt questioned Swift’s Knicks fandom when the singer — a New York City resident — attended Game 4 at Madison Square Garden earlier in the week. Swift was seated courtside alongside two of the HAIM sisters and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay.
During Wednesday’s game (June 10), McNutt’s broadcast partner appeared eager to snap a photo of Swift from below their broadcast position. But McNutt wasn’t impressed. “She’s not a Knicks fan. Get out of here, girl,” McNutt scoffed. The clip quickly went viral on social media, with Swifties rushing to defend the singer.
The following morning, McNutt addressed the backlash in an Instagram Stories video while speaking with a reporter about the viral moment.
“Swifties, I appreciate your passion. I said what I said. Here’s the deal, if I’m wrong — I am wrong, apparently,” the radio analyst said. “She owns an OG Amar’e Stoudemire jersey. I misspoke I did not know, but here’s the deal, context: I literally just did a piece on Celebrity Row. I’ve been with this organization for 5 years. I know these folks — Ben Stiller, his wife, Spike Lee, Fat Joe. I had not seen her here this year or last year, and we just saw her in Cleveland with her fiance, obviously Travis supports the Cavs, she didn’t have any Knicks paraphernalia, so I did not know of her Knicks loyalty. But shout out to T-Swift! Like, we can be united in orange and blue, it’s fine!”
McNutt returned to Instagram Stories ahead of Saturday’s game to thank supporters and downplay the controversy, calling it a “big fat nothingburger.” “We got bigger fish to fry, because a title is on the line,” she said, before adding, “Of course, whoever wants to be at the game is welcome to the game.”
