Jalen Brunson has come to the defense of New York Knicks radio analyst Monica McNutt after she received backlash for her comments about Taylor Swift.
After the Knicks won Game 5 of the championship game on Saturday (June 13), the NBA Finals MVP addressed the controversy surrounding McNutt’s comments during the Game 4 broadcast that questioned McNutt’s loyalty to the team.
During the post-game celebration, Brunson passed McNutt and gave a playful message of support to Swift’s loyal fan base.
“I have something to say to the Swifties,” the basketball star said with a laugh next to McNutt. “She’s a really good girl. Just cut her some slack. She’ll be fine, I promise.”
Brunson’s comments came after McNutt questioned Swift’s Knicks fans when the New York City resident attended Game 4 at Madison Square Garden earlier in the week. Swift sat 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 take pictures of Swift from below the broadcast position. But Mr. McNutt was not 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 the singer’s defense.
The next morning, McNutt spoke to reporters about the viral moment in an Instagram Stories video and addressed the backlash.
“Swifties, thank you for your passion. I said what I said. Here’s the deal, if I’m wrong, apparently I’m wrong,” said the radio analyst. “She has an OG Amare Stoudemire jersey. I didn’t know, but here’s the deal: I literally just did a piece on Celebrity Row. I’ve been in this organization for five years. I know these people – Ben Stiller, his wife, Spike Lee, Fat Joe. I haven’t seen her here this year or last, and I just met her in Cleveland with her fiancé. Obviously Travis supports the Cavs. She didn’t have any Knicks paraphernalia, so I didn’t know about her loyalty to the Knicks, but shout out to T-Swift, we can unite in orange and blue, that’s okay!
McNutt returned to his Instagram Stories ahead of Saturday’s game to thank supporters and make light of the controversy, calling it a “huge nothing burger”. “With the title on the line, we had bigger fish to fry,” she said, adding, “Of course, anyone who wants to be in the match is welcome to be in the match.”
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