When the New York Knicks won the NBA championship in June—their first since 1973—it felt like a dam had burst, flooding New York City with pure joy. People cried, danced, and celebrated in the streets, hardly able to believe the moment they’d been waiting for had finally arrived. For many, the players who delivered this historic win—especially the starting five of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns—became more than just champions; they were almost like saints.
Over 2 million fans packed lower Manhattan for the ticker-tape parade, and countless more watched from afar (or sneaked a peek 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 closely, you might have spotted another special guest—a four-legged one—riding on a float. It was Mikal Bridges’s dog, Sonny.
The parade turned the 10-year-old yellow Labrador retriever into a star in his own right, and he quickly went viral online. Bridges had pushed for Sonny to join the celebration. “I just want to bring my dog on the float,” he said on Good Morning America. In one clip, when asked why it was so important to have Sonny there, he replied, “That’s my son right there.”
Sonny has been with the 29-year-old Bridges through many chapters of his life and career—from his college days at Villanova University near his hometown of Philadelphia, to his years with the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets, and now this historic victory with the Knicks. So what’s it really like to be the canine son of a champion?
Recently, on a sweltering Thursday afternoon, Vogue joined Bridges and Sonny for a walk to the Hudson River waterfront in lower Manhattan to find out.
As they strolled, Bridges was stopped at least a dozen times within just four blocks. “That’s Mikal Bridges!” passersby (or walk-interrupters) shouted, turning heads and raising phones. Bridges posed for photos and signed autographs, including signing the T-shirt of a little kid who adorabley yelled, “Bye, Bridges!” as he and his mom walked away. Many onlookers cheered with excitement, while others simply wanted to sincerely thank him. Two women asked for a photo and mentioned they were fellow Villanova alums; one man declined a photo and just said, “Huge fan, Mikal, thank you.” The walk turned into a mini parade of its own.
As Bridges petted Sonny and planted kisses on him, the dog seemed to smile. He’s been along for the ride, but Bridges says Sonny feels right at home in the city. “I think he loves New York the most,” when it comes to 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 someone is calling his name just to mess with him. He’ll just give you a side-eye and ignore you. Like, “I know you don’t have anything for me, I’m not in the mood.” He’s really smart. I swear he’s more human than dog.
What is the most dog thing Sonny does?
Barking. Hear a doorbell, anything, he barks. Loud and nonstop.
What is his astrological sign?
Libra.
Favorite toy?
The squeaker inside the toy.
Worst habit?
Sometimes trying to be too smart for his own good.
Strangest habit?
Sometimes at night, he won’t eat—then I’ll have a friend come over, and he gets all hyped up and starts eating. I’m like, bro, you could’ve eaten 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 really tight. We were in there for a good few weeks, and we just bonded even more.
And you said he’s your son—anything to add on that?
He’s a good kid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about Sonny Bridges the son of a champion based on the context of a typical sports drama or biographical story
General Background
Q Who is Sonny Bridges
A Sonny Bridges is a young athlete who is the son of a famous legendary champion in his sport The story typically follows his journey as he tries to carve out his own identity while living under the massive shadow of his fathers legacy
Q What sport does Sonny play
A While it can vary depending on the specific story the narrative usually centers on a mainstream sport like boxing basketball or track and field The core theme is the pressure of legacy not the specific sport itself
Q Who is Sonnys father
A His father is a retired worldclass champion often referred to as the greatest of his era Hes a local hero and a household name which makes Sonnys every move highly scrutinized by the public and the media
Q Is this based on a true story
A It is a work of fiction but it draws heavily on the reallife experiences of many secondgeneration athletes It feels realistic because it addresses genuine psychological and social pressures
Challenges The Shadow of Legacy
Q Why is it so hard for Sonny to be a champion like his dad
A Its a combination of extreme pressure unrealistic expectations and a constant comparison to his fathers prime He often struggles with the fear of failure and doubts whether he can ever be good enough to match his dads achievements
Q Does Sonny get special treatment because of his father
A Yes and no He gets access to better coaches and facilities but he also faces resentment from peers who think he only got there because of his name Referees and opponents also tend to be tougher on him to prove they arent biased
Q What is the biggest conflict in Sonnys story
A The internal conflict between wanting to honor his fathers legacy and wanting to build his own separate identity He often feels like hes fighting for his dad rather than for himself
Q Does Sonny resent his father