After the Knicks won the NBA championship in June, Jalen Brunson was asked what he wanted to do next. “Try to get on SVU,” he said.
Three months later, Brunson was on the Brooklyn set of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit with Mariska Hargitay.
NBC confirmed that Brunson will guest star in the fifth episode of Season 28, scheduled for November 5th at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The network has not revealed his character.
Hargitay posted a group photo from the shoot on September 16th. Brunson was standing with members of the SVU cast and crew, with a prop NYPD badge clipped to his shirt. “Now introducing YOUR 2026 New York Knicks starting lineup!!!” she wrote.
Jalen Brunson Filmed His ‘SVU’ Episode With Mariska Hargitay
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On Thursday, the official Law & Order account posted the same news: “When the plans finally make it out of the group chat.” The post said Brunson was officially headed to SVU. Variety reported that the appearance will come in Episode 5. NBC has not said whether Brunson will play himself, a police officer or another character.
Kelli Giddish and actor Bill Heck were also photographed at the shoot. Brunson’s father, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, was there as well. Just Jared reported that Brunson’s wife, Ali Marks, and their daughter also visited the set.
Brunson Asked for an ‘SVU’ Role After the Knicks Won the Championship
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Brunson scored 45 points in the Knicks’ 94-90 Game 5 win over the San Antonio Spurs on June 13th. The victory gave New York its first NBA championship since 1973, and Brunson was named Finals MVP, according to NBA.com. Reporters asked what came next. “Try to get on SVU,” Brunson answered.
Brunson has said SVU was always playing at home because his father watched it. “You just hear the iconic ‘dun-dun’ all the time in the house,” he said on The Roommates Show. He kept watching as an adult and called it a pregame show for him. Brunson also admitted that meeting Hargitay left him starstruck. “I saw her, I was like, ‘Oh s—,’” he said.
Christopher Meloni backed the idea days later. “I don’t know if you heard, but he’s the world champion,” Meloni told TMZ. “He can do whatever the hell he wants.” When TMZ asked if Brunson had a real chance, Meloni added, “He’s got the force of will,” according to People.
Hargitay Had Already Said ‘It’s Definitely Happening’
In August, Variety asked Hargitay whether Brunson was getting a role. “It’s definitely happening,” she answered. “He’s kind of magnificent that way,” Hargitay said. “He is just open and ready. I don’t think there is much Jalen can’t do.” Hargitay had attended several Knicks games during the playoff run. She was courtside for Game 4 of the Finals, when New York came back from 29 points down to beat San Antonio 107-106, and hugged Brunson after the game.
Brunson attended Hargitay’s June 26th performance in Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre. During the show, she pulled his Knicks jersey from a box and made it item “No. 555,555: Knicks in Five.” The audience gave Brunson a standing ovation. He congratulated Hargitay backstage afterward. People published photos of Brunson and Hargitay with their spouses, Ali Marks and Peter Hermann.
Hargitay told Hoda Kotb that she kept a photo of Brunson in her dressing room. She said his focus, humility and work ethic helped her prepare for the show. Brunson has called her his favorite celebrity Knicks fan.
Brunson Will Host ‘SNL’ Before His ‘SVU’ Episode Airs
Brunson appeared in the prerecorded opening for the September 14th Emmy Awards, which Hargitay hosted. In the clip, Hargitay was getting ready for the show while Brunson steamed his Knicks jersey. “Have you ever felt like you have millions of eyes on you and it all comes down to one night?” she asked. “Seriously?” Brunson replied.
He is scheduled to host the Season 52 premiere of Saturday Night Live on September 26th. KATSEYE will be the musical guest.
Law & Order: SVU returns October 8th at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. The Knicks open the regular season on October 20th, and Brunson’s SVU episode follows on November 5th.