New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson has revealed that he actively searches for Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay at courtside during every home game at Madison Square Garden. According to an appearance by Brunson on The Richard Jefferson Show, the 29-year-old athlete counts the Emmy winner as his number one celebrity sighting, stating he loves her to death and that she knows it.
The Origins of Brunson and Hargitay’s Sideline Friendship
The mutual admiration between the NBA player and the long-running television star has blossomed over multiple seasons, anchored by Brunson’s lifelong fandom of the NBC procedural. According to Hargitay’s interview on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Brunson grew up watching the series, which fostered a sense of safety and intimacy.
Hargitay noted that the postgame embrace was entirely Brunson’s choice rather than a rushed court-side encounter. Beyond basketball, Brunson and his wife, Alison Marks, supported Hargitay at the premiere of her film My Mom Jayne during the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.
Celebrity Row Staples at Madison Square Garden
While Hargitay holds the top spot for Brunson, Madison Square Garden routinely attracts a heavy roster of A-list talent. According to his comments on The Richard Jefferson Show, Brunson also keeps an eye out for regular courtside fixtures including Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, and Tracy Morgan.
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Hargitay herself has frequently attended games alongside fellow actors, including former SVU co-star Christopher Meloni.
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