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Jalen Brunson crashes Knicks fan Mariska Hargitay’s Emmys cold open
Sandy Verma | September 15, 2026 10:24 AM CST

Mariska Hargitay brought her fandom to the Emmys, with Knicks star Jalen Brunson making a cameo in her cold open as she hosted the award show airing on NBC.

The Emmys opened with the “Law & Order: SVU” star steaming a gold dress while talking about the pressure of hosting and asking an unseen person, “Have you ever felt like you have millions of eyes on you and it all comes down to one night?”

The camera then cuts to Brunson, steaming his blue Knicks jersey.

“Seriously?” he asks back.

“Hey Jalen, it’s just me, alright. I don’t have anyone to tap it in for me,” Hargitay responds, poking fun at the now-iconic moment from Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Spurs when OG Anunoby tipped in the game-winning basket in the closing seconds after Brunson’s 3-pointer hit off the front of the rim.

The pair’s affinity for each other is well known, and Hargitay is counted among the Knicks’ tried-and-true celeb fans. She was a constant presence during the team’s championship run this spring, and Hargitay was even captured giving Brunson a big hug after Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Jalen Brunson and Mariska Hargitay at the Emmy opening. NBC
Jalen Brunson and Mariska Hargitay at the Emmy opening. NBC

“I love you so much; I’m so happy,” she told him after the dramatic Knicks win.

Brunson has talked about his “Law & Order: SVU” fandom in the past and said on his “The Roommates Show” podcast that he grew up watching the show.

“You just hear the iconic (theme song) ‘dun-dun’ all the time in the house,” he said. “My dad also watches the TV incredibly loud, so you hear it throughout the house.”

Assistant Coach Rick Brunson of the New York Knicks, actress Mariska Hargitay, and Jalen Brunson ride on a float during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally,. Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Brunson has also said that he was a bit starstruck the first time he met her.

I saw (Mariska), I was like ‘Oh s–t.’ The first time we met, it was awesome. We talked and everything,” he said.


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