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USA Today
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Jalen Brunson-Mariska Hargitay connection explained: Knicks and Law & Order fans unite
Jalen Brunson-Mariska Hargitay connection explained: Knicks and Law & Order fans unite Show Caption Hide Caption NBA Finals predictions: Are the Thunder and Knicks locks for the NBA Finals? The For The Hoops crew make their picks for the NBA Finals. The Thunder vs. Knicks seem to be a popular pick, but are we counting the Timberwolves and Pacers out too early? Madison Square Garden's coveted Celebrity Row would normally leave anyone starstruck, offering up plenty of A-list sightings from Spike Lee to Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, Kylie Jenner, Bad Bunny and Timothee Chalamet. But New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson has only been left awestruck by one celebrity. That person is (don-don) Mariska Hargitay, longtime star of the hit TV show 'Law & Order: SVU." "I've never been like super, super starstruck. I saw her and I was like, 'Oh, (wow),'" Brunson said during a May 4 episode of his 'The Roommates Show' podcast, which he hosts alongside teammate Josh Hart. "Then, the first time we met, it was awesome, we talked and everything." A friendship between Brunson and Hargitay has been brewing since he donned royal blue and orange. The two shared a hug after the Knicks' 108-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 11, which Hart called a rarity. ("I've seen you not hug your wife after some losses," Hart joked.) In February, Hargitay announced Brunson's All-Star selection with a special video, where she congratulated "one captain to another." (Hargitay has played Olivia Benson, captain of the NYPD's Special Victims Unit, since 1999.) "That's my favorite person ever," Brunson exclaimed after watching the video. Why is Hargitay Brunson's favorite? What's behind the Brunson-Hargitay connection? We got you covered. KNICKS-PACERS: 8 best (and infamous) moments of rivalry Jalen Brunson grew up watching 'Law & Order: SVU' Brunson's fandom dates back to his early days of watching TV with his father Rick Brunson, a former NBA player who serves as an assistant coach for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson recalled his dad used to blast the volume in the house. 'I remember my dad always watching the show and you just hear the iconic (theme song) 'don-don' all the time,' Brunson said. 'I always found myself watching the show. Honestly the older I got, the more I watched, the more I see now I'm like, 'I've seen that episode,' I've seen so many different episodes.' Brunson said he incorporates "Law & Order: SVU" into his pregame ritual, especially during his time with the Dallas Mavericks (2018–2022) when his schedule permitted. "At one point when I got into the league, I wanted to restart. So I started from Season 1 and watched all the way through," Brunson said. "It's like a pregame show for me. I watched it, before I took my nap. That's when I was in Dallas. ... I've always loved that show." Mariska Hargitay is Jalen Brunson's 'favorite' Brunson and Hargitay have shared numerous courtside interactions since he joined the Knicks in 2022. Most recently, Hargitay attended the Knicks' 115-93 Game 3 loss to the Boston Celtics. (The Kicks went on to win the series, 4-2.) Brunson has repeatedly said she's the celebrity he's "most excited to see sitting courtside at (Madison Square Garden)." When asked which non-basketball related guest he would love to have featured on the podcast in April, Brunson responded without hesitation, "Mariska Hargitay." The feeling is mutual. During a sitdown with Interview Magazine in September, Hargitay recalled meeting Brunson at a Knicks game, admitting that's the last time her kids thought she was cool. "(My son) August and I were at a Knicks game, and after the game, Jalen Brunson beelined over to talk to me," Hargitay said. "The next time we went, we were going into the game and Jalen wanted to meet with me, and he gave me a jersey and signed it, and then he recently, I think in People, said that I was his favorite." Ben Stiller, other Knicks fans jealous of Mariska Hargitay Brunson's love of Hargitay has drawn the playful ire of other celebrity Knicks fans. Actor Ben Stiller, a Knicks superfan who frequents games at Madison Square Garden, was a guest on "The Roommates Show" podcast in early May and said 'the love that Mariska Hargitay gets from (Brunson) postgame is the envy of every other Knicks fan, Knicks celebrity fan." Brunson said the frequency in which he sees Hargitay in comparison to Stiller adds to it. 'I expect to see (Stiller) there all the time, but this is her first or second game this year. So I'm not going to see her for a long time, so I'm just going to say hi and go,' Brunson said."I guess I got to come to less games," Stiller responded, while Hart added, "Make him appreciate you more." The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Knicks' Jalen Brunson only gets starstruck for one celebrity at MSG, and it's not who you'd expect
Madison Square Garden's Celebrity Row is usually packed with big names, from Spike Lee and Ben Stiller to Kylie Jenner and Bad Bunny. But New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson only gets starstruck by one person: Mariska Hargitay. 'I've never been like super, super starstruck. I saw her and I was like, 'Oh, (wow),'' Brunson confessed during a May 4 episode of The Roommates Show, the podcast he co-hosts with teammate Josh Hart. 'Then, the first time we met, it was awesome, we talked and everything.' Hargitay, who has played Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU since 1999, even celebrated his All-Star selection in February with a heartfelt video message: 'One captain to another.' Brunson was floored. 'That's my favorite person ever,' he gushed. ALSO READ| Public heavily backing Knicks-Thunder NBA Finals matchup Turns out, SVU was a big part of Brunson's upbringing. 'I remember my dad always watching the show and you just hear the iconic (theme song) 'don-don' all the time,' Brunson recalled, referring to his father, Rick Brunson, a former NBA player and current Knicks assistant coach. He got so hooked on the show that during his early NBA days in Dallas, that 'At one point when I got into the league, I wanted to restart. So I started from Season 1 and watched all the way through… I watched it before I took my nap. That's when I was in Dallas. I've always loved that show.' Just in a September interview with Interview Magazine, Hargitay said, '(My son) August and I were at a Knicks game, and after the game, Jalen Brunson beelined over to talk to me.' 'The next time we went, Jalen wanted to meet with me, and he gave me a jersey and signed it… He recently, I think in People, said that I was his favorite.' Even fellow Knicks superfans like Ben Stiller have joked, 'The love that Mariska Hargitay gets from (Brunson) postgame is the envy of every other Knicks celebrity fan,' on a podcast. ALSO READ| After Pacers' memorable comeback, Knicks regroup for Game 2 'I expect to see (Stiller) there all the time, but this is her first or second game this year… I'm just going to say hi and go,' Brunson laughed it off, to which, Stiller quipped, 'I guess I got to come to less games,' prompting Hargitay to chime in, 'Make him appreciate you more.'
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Knicks' Jalen Brunson on why he waved to Celtics fans in Game 5
No, Jalen Brunson was not waving goodbye to Celtics fans at the end of Game 5. After fouling out in the fourth quarter of Boston's victory, Brunson was shown on the big screen and gave the crowd a wave. It was not his way of saying the Knicks wouldn't be back for a potential Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. 'You would think that, but no. People were like, 'Oh, Jalen's waving because he knew he wasn't going back,' ' Brunson said on Tuesday on his podcast 'The Roommates Show' with Josh Hart. 'No, I just fouled out in a playoff game and we were down 20 or whatever, and I just see myself on the screen. I was just trying to make a positive out of a terrible, negative situation. I see myself, [gave a] quick little wave. I didn't think anything of it, and obviously it's all over everywhere when I get off the court after the game. 'Fortunately it aged well. … You've got to be levelheaded. You can't be too low, you can't be too high. I don't know, it wasn't like I was [thinking], 'I'm going to do this if the camera is on me.' It just happened. Oh, well.' Knicks guard Jalen Brunson talks with the media on May 19, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post During his podcast with Brunson, Hart had some fun with the Nets. The two were talking about the recently completed Subway Series, when Hart said he believes there are two teams that run the city in baseball and basketball, the Yankees and Knicks. Brunson told Hart that there are two teams in basketball within the five boroughs. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Hart feigned ignorance. 'What?' Hart said jokingly. 'The New Jersey Nets?' He laughed and added: 'I was going to say something crazy.' Brunson chimed in: 'Just stop.' Knicks forward Josh Hart is all smiles during a media session with reporters on May 19, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Karl-Anthony Towns attended Sunday night's Yankees victory over the Mets in The Bronx, and received a huge ovation from the sellout crowd. 'It was special. Grew up a Yankees fan, die-hard Yankees fan, to be respected by New York that way, it means everything,' he said. 'Respect is everything to me. It just makes you want to work harder.' What's happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters The only player listed on the injury report for either team was Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson, who has been out since November with a torn Achilles tendon. The Knicks will host a watch party at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday night for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tickets are $10 each, with proceeds benefiting the Garden of Dreams Foundation.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Leon Rose's taking Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges trade risks paying off for Knicks
Three months apart, the Knicks pulled the trigger on two major offseason trades. First, on June 25, they sent the Nets five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges, reuniting him with college teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. Advertisement Then, on Sept. 27, came another big trade, the Knicks sending Julius Randle and DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. The moves involved risk, significant assets being dealt. But when Leon Rose bit the bullet with those acquisitions, this is what he had in mind: The Knicks getting over their second-round hump, reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. Advertisement The transition wasn't seamless. It was an up-and-down regular season for Bridges. Towns performed well, but hasn't been as productive in the postseason. There were questions about this group's overall toughness entering the playoffs. 3 Mikal Bridges played a big role in the Knicks' second-round series win over the Celtics. Getty Images Advertisement When it has mattered most, however, the duo has come through. They have thrived under pressure, both key contributors in the Knicks' wild run that has included fourth-quarter comebacks in seven of their eight wins in the playoffs. 'Any time you can do something special here in the city in New York, obviously it's magnified by five,' Towns said Tuesday, on the eve of Game 1 against the Pacers at the Garden. 'To find success here in New York is something that is not for everyone, and it's something that is very difficult to do. For us to be in this position shows that we stepped up to the challenge and [we also have] the benefit of having amazing teammates and support systems — both of us.' 3 Karl-Anthony Towns came up big in the Knicks' Game 6 series-clinching win over the Celtics. Getty Images Advertisement CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS Bridges was terrific in the second-round upset of the Celtics, making the game-clinching defensive plays to cap rallies from 20 points down in Games 1 and 2, and exploding for 22 points in Game 6. Nobody is wondering if he was worth all those draft picks now. 'Talk about a confidence booster — that's a confidence booster,' Brunson said Tuesday on his 'The Roommates Show' podcast with Hart. 'Damn, we could have been playing Game 7 [if not for him].' Towns enjoyed several strong moments against the Pistons in the first round, averaging 19.7 points, 10 rebounds and shooting 48 percent from 3-point range. He was at his best in the Game 6 clincher in the second round, keying a fast start with his aggression and physicality. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Now, as the next round nears, the duo will be counted on immensely. Bridges is expected to defend Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton for large stretches. The Knicks are counting on Towns to build on his strong performance during the regular season against the Pacers when he averaged 30.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and shot 46.7 percent from 3-point range in three games. He will be facing Myles Turner, a big man who also spaces the floor and can do as much damage from beyond the arc as in the paint. Towns' impact wasn't always there against the Celtics. He was at times a defensive liability on switches against Boston's high-usage All-Star wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. But he made big plays in crunch time of those two huge comeback victories to start the series, and after a shaky Game 5 performance, he responded with his most forceful effort of the playoffs, a 21-point, 12-rebound showing in 35 quality minutes. Advertisement 3 Leon Rose (left) congratulates Mikal Bridges after the Knicks' first-round series-clinching win over the Pistons. Getty Images 'I think for us, it was just attacking early,' Towns said. 'I feel like some of the games in the Boston series, we were easing into the game, seeing how they would change from game to game. I think Game 6 was the first time we came out of the gates making them have to react to us instead of us reacting to them, and it worked out really well for us.' The trades have worked out well for the Knicks, too. Bridges has hit his stride after that uneven regular season. Towns has been a difference-maker more often than not. Advertisement The 7-footer has used the past few days to soak it all in, attending a Subway Series game and thinking about what it means to have this kind of success with his hometown team. He won't let himself think about what the city would be like if the Knicks advance to the NBA Finals, because that's how you get beat. But he wants to enjoy this moment as well. Advertisement 'There's still more work to do,' Towns said, 'but it's sometimes good to take a step back and appreciate where you're at and where you came from, and also understand where you still have to go.'
