New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson asked head coach Mike Brown to stop singing the song “Who Let the Dogs Out” in the locker room.

The request highlights the lighthearted but strained dynamic between the star player and his coach following a historic postseason run. While the chant was intended to motivate the team, Brunson suggested the habit had become overused.

Brown, 56 [1], utilized the 2000 cult hit by the Baha Men to hype the squad during the 2026 NBA Finals [3]. The musical preference became a recurring theme in the locker room, eventually leading to the plea from the team's lead guard.

"We've got to put that to bed," Brunson said [1].

The musical tension coincided with the most successful period in the franchise's modern history. The Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought on Saturday night [3]. They secured the title by defeating the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 94-90 in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals [3].

Despite the championship success, the repetitive nature of the song became a point of contention. Brown used the music to celebrate the victory and maintain energy, but the repetition eventually exhausted the players. The interaction has since been described as one of the more entertaining aspects of the team's internal chemistry [2].

“"We've got to put that to bed."”

The interaction reflects the unique interpersonal dynamics that often emerge within high-pressure sports environments. While the Knicks achieved a historic milestone by ending a half-century drought, the friction over a locker room chant illustrates the balance between a coach's motivational methods and player preferences during a championship celebration.