Mariska Hargitay is manifesting the next โLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitโ guest star.
The actor, whoโs preparing to host the Primetime Emmy Awards this September, has had a packed schedule. After wrapping up a weekslong run on Broadway this summer in the starring role of the show โEvery Brilliant Thing,โ Hargitay has jumped into filming another season of โSVU.โ And sheโs got her sights set on a cameo from none other than New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson.
Hargitay, a die-hard Knicks fan who was famously spotted at a number of games during the teamโs championship run, hinted at a potential collaboration with the NBA champ Aug. 13, while discussing her latest projects live on TODAY. She took the opportunity to put a big wish into the universe.
โAnd Iโm hoping that we might โ donโt tell anyone, but โ see (Brunson) on โSVU,โโ she told TODAY host Savannah Guthrie.
โI wonโt tell anyone,โ Savannah promised.
Earlier this summer, the actor was spotted sitting courtside next to Taylor Swift at Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Hargitay even changed outfits mid-game since she rushed over to attend the game after wrapping up a Broadway performance.
She has attended many of the teamโs games and has even found ways to incorporate her love of the Knicks into her performances. For instance, during a June performance of โEvery Brilliant Thing,โ the actor brought a Knicks jersey on stage.
During their chat, Savannah remarked to Hargitay that โeverything youโre touching is turning to gold right now, including Jalen Brunson and the Knicks,โ referencing the teamโs NBA finals win in June, ending a 53-year championship drought.
โThat is all super surreal still, all of that, but Iโm really thrilled,โ Hargitay replied.
Savannah also joked that Hargitay should continue to reveal more tea and hopefully, the actorโs wishes will materialize.
โWeโll have to manifest a few more,โ Savannah said. โLetโs cook up some more stuff.โ
Hargitay has actually managed to bring up the Knicks and her friendship with Brunson on several occasions. While appearing on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle in June, Hargitay referred to Brunson as a โfriendโ and said heโs โmy inspiration.โ
โHe is so singular and magnificent. Heโs a magnificent human,โ she said.
When guest co-host Savannah suggested that Brunson should attend Hargitayโs Broadway show, the actor said, โOh, he told me heโs coming!โ
The โSVUโ star also sat down with Hoda Kotb for a June episode of her โMaking Spaceโ podcast in June and applauded the athlete and his teammates for their performance in the NBA Finals.
โHere, the Knicks have had this profound effect on the city and provided hope, but also the ability to dig deep and all of the things that we learn (like) never give up,โ she said.
The actor spoke fondly of Brunson and praised โwhat heโs done and what heโs taught us and children.โ
โSo heโs teaching you? Jalen Brunson is teaching you?โ Kotb asked.
โEvery day,โ Hargitay replied.