Mariska Hargitay took her New York Knicks fandom to the Emmys on Monday night.
As first reported by Variety, the 78th Emmys kicked off with a pre-tape musical number featuring Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, leading a performance of the original song “I Love TV Screens.” That then led to a live continuation of that song and performance with Knicks super-fan and Emmys host Hargitay and a bunch of dancers and extras.
“It’s just a lot of pressure. Have you ever felt like you had millions of eyes on you and it all comes down to one night?” Hargitay asks as she steams her dress opposite Brunson steaming his own jersey.
“Seriously?” he asks. “Hey, Jalen, it’s just me. I don’t have anyone to step it in for me,” Hargitay replies, referring to the now iconic tip-in by OG Anunoby in the Knicks’ championship run.
Hargitay memorably sat courtside during Game 4 of the Knicks’ five-game NBA championship series, where the team overcame a record 29-point comeback over the San Antonio Spurs to take a 3-1 series lead and later win the title in Game 5. The “Law & Order: SVU” star sat next to Taylor Swift, Alana Haim and Este Haim, all wearing custom Knicks t-shirts gifted by Swift. Game 4 ended with the now iconic tip-in by OG Anunoby with 1.2 seconds left that sealed the game and gave the Knicks the win.
“I want everyone to throw out every book on leadership they have and replace it with a photo of Jalen,” Hargitay told Variety the day after the game. “We have so much to learn from his brand of strength. And it’s not just his own strength, his whole family’s heart beats inside him when he plays. And I feel so lucky, so honored, so grateful, that in the future when people talk about that game, which they will forever and ever, I get to say ‘I was there,’” she continued. “I can’t tell you how much I love and respect and cherish this Knicks team!!”
The Knicks’ win ended a 53-year drought between the team’s last championship win. The players became famous outside of even the sports world, with superstar Jalen Brunson set to host the “Saturday Night Live” season premiere on Sept. 26.
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From Variety US