Jalen Brunson made an unexpected appearance at the Emmys, joining host Mariska Hargitay for a Knicks-themed opening to the NBC broadcast.
The “Law & Order: SVU” star began the show while steaming her gold dress and discussing the pressure that comes with hosting a major awards ceremony.
She then asked an unseen person, “Have you ever felt like you have millions of eyes on you and it all comes down to one night?”
The scene then revealed Brunson standing nearby and 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, referencing one of the defining moments of the Knicks’ championship run.
Her joke was about Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Spurs, when Brunson missed a late 3-pointer before OG Anunoby tipped the ball in for the game-winning basket.
Hargitay’s connection with Brunson and the Knicks goes beyond the Emmys appearance. She regularly attended games during New York’s title run and celebrated with Brunson following the dramatic Game 4 victory.
“I love you so much; I’m so happy,” she told him after the dramatic Knicks win.
The admiration goes both ways. Brunson has previously revealed that he grew up watching “Law & Order: SVU,” largely because the show was frequently on at his family’s home.
“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.”
Brunson has also admitted that meeting Hargitay for the first time caught him off guard.
“I saw [Mariska], I was like ‘Oh s–t.’ The first time we met, it was awesome. We talked and everything,” he said.
