When the New York Knicks won the NBA championship in June—for the first time since 1973—it was like a dam broke, releasing a flood of euphoria across New York City.
People cried, danced, and celebrated in the streets, hardly believing that the moment they’d wished for was finally here. To many, the players who brought us this historic victory—notably the starting five of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns—became not just champions but something akin to saints.
More than 2 million fans showed up for the ticker-tape parade in lower Manhattan, and many more tuned into the procession from afar (or nearby, from their desks). Spike Lee, Alicia Keys, Ben Stiller, Martha Stewart, Mariska Hargitay, Timothée Chalamet, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani were all there. But if you were watching, you might have spotted another special guest—a four-legged one—riding along on a float. It was Mikal Bridges’s dog, Sonny.
The parade made the 10-year-old yellow Labrador retriever a star in his own right, as he quickly went viral online. Bridges had campaigned for Sonny to come and celebrate with him. “I just want to bring my dog on the float,” he said on Good Morning America. In one clip, he was asked why it was so important to have Sonny at the parade. “That’s my son right there,” he replied.
Sonny has seen the 29-year-old Bridges through many different eras and teams in his life, from his college career at Villanova University near his hometown of Philadelphia to his years playing for the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets, and now his historic victory with the Knicks. So what’s it really like to be the canine son of a champion?
Many onlookers yelled out with joy, and others just wanted to sincerely thank Bridges. Two women asked for a photo and told him they were fellow Villanova alums; one man requested no photo and instead simply said, “Huge fan, Mikal, thank you.” The walk became a mini parade of its own.
And as Bridges petted and planted kisses on Sonny, the dog seemed to smile. He’s been along for the ride, but Sonny is right at home in the city, Bridges says. “I think he loves New York the most,” when it comes to going on walks, “because there are so many smells, so many people.” New York loves you too, Sonny.
Below, Mikal Bridges answers Vogue’s Dogue questionnaire.
Vogue: What is Sonny’s best quality?
Mikal Bridges: His patience. He’s pretty patient.
Who would voice Sonny in a movie?
Michael B. Jordan. Steady dude, calm. He would do a good job.
Describe the voice you use to talk to Sonny.
Baby voice. Gets the tail wagging; he’ll walk over. He understands when it’s a soft little voice like that.
What is Sonny’s weirdest nickname, and how did you come up with it?
I think I call him like, Son-Son, or say like, Don-Don. [Editor’s note: Pronounced “dun-dun.”] Just being goofy and baby.
Where is one place you wish you could take Sonny?
To an NBA game, a Knicks game. Or a baseball game. Baseball game, because I’ll be able to be with him. NBA game, I’ll be on the court. I’ll say baseball game. Phillies vs. Yankees.
Where is the strangest place you’ve taken Sonny?
I don’t even go nowhere that’s strange, honestly. The craziest, I think… I took him on a private jet before. That was funny. He was fine. He was cool. He was just trying to lay up there with the pilots. He just chilled up there with them, he trusted them, like, ‘Please get me home safe.’
If you could tell your dog one thing, what would it be?
That he’s loved. And lives a great life.
What is the most human thing Sonny does?
Everything. The most human thing is knowing when somebody’s calling his name just to bother him. He’ll just side-eye and ignore you. Like, “I know you don’t have anything for me, I’m not in the mood.” He’s real smart. I swear he’s more human than dog.
What is the most dog thing Sonny does?
Bark. Hear a doorbell, anything, bark. Loud and nonstop.
What is his astrological sign?
Libra.
Favorite toy?
The squeaker inside of the toy.
Worst habit?
Sometimes trying to be too smart for his own good.
Strangest habit?
Sometimes at night, not eating—then I’ll have a friend come over, and he gets hyped up, and he starts eating. I’m like, bro, you could’ve ate two hours ago.
What’s been your favorite moment with him throughout all this?
When I got traded from Phoenix to Brooklyn, we were staying at the 1 Hotel in a room together. Coming from a big home and then being in a hotel room—it was real tight. We were in there for a good amount of weeks, and just bonded even more.
And you said he’s your son—anything to add on that?
He’s a good kid.
