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Mariska Hargitay: Jalen Brunson's #1 Courtside Fan
11 Jun
Summary
- Mariska Hargitay is Jalen Brunson's top courtside fan and friend.
- Brunson considers watching SVU a pregame ritual before Knicks games.
- Martha Stewart broke her toe after Brunson crashed into her at a game.
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson has identified actress Mariska Hargitay as his ultimate courtside fan and a significant source of inspiration. Their friendship, forged over a shared appreciation for New York basketball and crime dramas, has blossomed since Brunson joined the Knicks in the 2022 off-season. Hargitay recently lauded Brunson as "my friend, my inspiration," crediting his humility and work ethic with helping her overcome stage fright during her Broadway debut.
Brunson, in turn, admitted on his podcast that watching Hargitay's show, 'Law & Order: SVU,' is a crucial part of his pregame ritual. His father, Rick Brunson, a Knicks assistant coach, introduced him to the series. The bond between Brunson and Hargitay is so strong that Brunson, his wife Alison, and father Rick attended the 2025 premiere of Hargitay's documentary, 'My Mom Jayne.'
Beyond his admiration for Hargitay, Brunson’s "Mount Rushmore" of celebrity Knicks fans includes Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, and Tracy Morgan. An unusual incident occurred in May 2025 when Martha Stewart, seated courtside, sustained a broken toe after Brunson dove out of bounds for a ball, crashing into her open-toed sandals.
