Jalen Brunson Hugs Mariska Hargitay After Yet Another Knicks Win
The rest of the NBA might hire Olivia Benson to investigate the dark magic coursing through the New York Knicks.
The Knicks have not lost a playoff game since April 23. Their nine-game winning streak has featured a 51-point drubbing to close out the Atlanta Hawks, a dominant four-game sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, and a 22-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
The Cavaliers might as well take their ball and go home after Game 2 at the Garden on Thursday night.
The Knicks won, 109-93, behind a career-high 26 points from Josh Hart and 14 assists from Jalen Brunson. Brunson’s 14 assists were the most by any Knick in a playoff game since Charlie Ward in 1998, per the NBA.
After taking a commanding 2-0 series lead, Brunson hugged Mariska Hargitay, otherwise known as Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”:
Brunson and Hargitay have developed a friendship since Brunson ascended to superstardom with the Knicks over the past four years.
Last June, Hargitay appeared on “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” and Meyers contextualized Brunson’s soft spot for Hargitay.
“Ben Stiller, who’s a fan and also has very nice seats like you, said all the celebrities are jealous because Jalen Brunson only hugs you after games,” Meyers said.
“This is true,” Hargitay said.
The Emmy-winning actress added, “They let me know that Jalen was a big fan, and I was so flattered and thrilled because I was such a huge fan. I think Jalen grew up on ‘SVU.'”
Brunson, his wife, Ali, and his father, Rick, supported Hargitay at the Tribeca Festival premiere of her documentary, “My Mom Jayne,” last June. With the way things are going, Hargitay and the rest of New York will be supporting the Knicks at a championship parade this June.
The Eastern Conference Finals will shift to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday. The winner of this series will face either the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 9:39 PM.