Jalen Brunson made his Emmys debut by helping out one of his biggest fans.
During the opening number of the primetime Emmy Awards on Monday night, “Law & Order” star and New York Knicks superfan Mariska Hargitay attempted to ease the stress of her first hosting gig by steam-pressing her dress. Brunson, of course, was pressing his Knicks jersey as a show of solidarity.
“It’s just a lot of pressure,” Hargitay said to Brunson. “Have you ever felt like you have millions of eyes on you and it all comes down to one night?”
“Seriously?” Brunson responded, standing beside his now iconic No. 11 Knicks jersey. Given the Knicks’ roller coaster of a season and epic playoff run, he’d know better than anyone about dealing with pressure in big moments.
Hargitay shot back, “Hey Jalen, it’s just me, all right. I don’t have anyone to tap it in for me,” an obvious reference to OG Anunoby’s “Hand of God” tip-in during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, where the Knicks completed the greatest comeback in team and Finals history. “Oh my gosh. The opening number is starting. I got to get to the airport. I don’t have time to sit around and steam outfits with you.”
Hargitay and Brunson have become close friends over the years, and their bond grew even deeper during the Knicks’ title run this summer. Hargitay famously ran ten blocks to get to Madison Square Garden for one of the most historic nights from a fan’s perspective. After the win, she hugged anyone she could while in tears, thankful that her favorite team had won.
Brunson’s star turn since winning the NBA title and NBA Finals MVP is set to continue later this month. Aside from starring in an upcoming episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Brunson will be hosting the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” later this month. It’s unclear if he happened to run into his “cousin” Quinta Brunson during the show.
