Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Details Mariska Hargitay Bond After Game 4 Win

In the NBA fandom system, there is one honor held above all: sitting courtside.

And of all the celebrities who have sat in that coveted position, there is one A-lister that Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson—who helped secure the team’s historic comeback against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 4 of the NBA Finals June 10—is the happiest to see. 

In fact, when it comes to his Mt. Rushmore of front-row spectators, Brunson previously revealed to Richard Jefferson, “My number one, love her to death, and she knows it—Mariska Hargitay.” 

And when Jefferson noted Brunson was blushing a little as he said it, the 29-year-old responded with not even a hint of embarrassment, “Yes. Absolutely.”

While the NBA star rounded out his top four with Hargitay’s fellow MSG regulars Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan, it’s no secret that the Law & Order star holds a special place in Brunson’s heart.

Even Stiller admitted to Brunson on his and Josh Hart’s podcast in 2025, “The love that Mariska Hargitay gets from you post-game is the envy of every other Knicks celebrity game.”