After winning a championship with the New York Knicks as the 2026 Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson be turning his talents to television.
Brunson has never been shy about his love for the longtime NBC crime drama “Law and Order: SVU” and he’s been even less shy about his love for one of it’s biggest stars actress Mariska Hargitay, who has played captain Olivia Benson in “SVU” since the series premier of the program in 1999.
Hargitay in turn has never been shy about her love for the Knicks and for Brunson. She’s been a fixture court side for years cheering the Orange and Blue on and received particular notoriety for her fandom during the Knicks championship run last season alongside other super-fans like Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Timothee Chalamet.
Mariska Hargitay looks on in the second quarter between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
After Brunson and the Knicks won the 2026 championship, Brunson was asked by a reporter what he planned on doing in the offseason, to which he replied, “Try to get on ‘SVU”.
Brunson may be getting his wish soon enough. In a recent red carpet interview with Variety, Hargitay said that Brunson is “definitely” going to appear on ‘SVU’ sometime in the future.
Singer Rihanna with boyfriend and rapper ASAP Rocky, rapper Future, musician Pharrell Williams and his wife Helen Lasichanh and New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and his wife Ali Marks in the stands during the match. REUTERS
“It’s definitely happening,” Hargitay said. ” He’s kind of magnificent that way. He is just open and ready. I don’t think there is much Jalen can’t do.”
Brunson and Hargitay formed a public friendship that was highlighted during the playoffs and built on their mutual love of each other’s work and with some time on his hands before the next season begins, getting a shot at making his television debut only makes sense.
American actress Mariska Hargitay reacts while seated court side during the half quarter of the NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Having the biggest star in New York featured on one of the longest-running and most notable shows set in New York City is also a natural fit.
Hargitay didn’t reveal if there was a script in the works quite yet or if Brunson would show up on the show as an original character in universe or if he would be cameoing as himself, it would be hard to suspend the belief of Brunson being anyone other than the star guard of the Knicks, but she was at least certain that he’d be making an appearance at some point.
New York Knicks guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart throw out the first pitch prior to the game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Some other “SVU” stars have endorsed the idea of Brunson appearing as well. Actor Chistopher Meloni, who played detective Elliot Stabler for 12 seasons, was all for the idea of Brunson showing up on the show in an interview with TMZ Sports.
There are few players in the NBA that have more pull or star power than Brunson right now, and his impending television debut is just another reason why Brunson is on top of the world right now.