Talk about manifestation! Jalen Brunson lands “Law & Order: SVU” Season 28 guest role months after saying he “would love to” join the show
The New York Knicks star was spotted on set with Mariska Hargitay earlier this week.
He did it! After sharing how much he’d love to make a cameo on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” NBC announced on Thursday (Sept. 17) that Jalen Brunson will guest star in the Dick Wolf-created series’ upcoming 28th season.
Even better, fans of the NBA star and Mariska Hargitay-led show won’t have to wait very long to see him on the small screen. While Season 28 itself premieres on Oct. 8, Brunson’s “SVU” debut is slated for the fifth episode on Nov. 5, which just so happens to fall on an off-night for the New York Knicks.
Exactly who Brunson will play hasn’t been confirmed, so we’ll just have to wait and see whether he’s a detective, one of the many people who commit “vicious felonies” on the show (though we highly doubt it), or perhaps even himself. Either way, we’re excited.
How Jalen Brunson’s “SVU” cameo finally came together
In July, Brunson revealed that he “would love to” make a cameo on “SVU,” one of the longest-running primetime drama series in American history, followed by Hargitay telling Variety at last month’s HBO Max Emmy Nominee Celebration that it was “definitely happening.”
When asked whether they already had a “script for Jalen,” she responded, “Not quite yet,” so it sounds like something may have been worked out in the weeks since. As a matter of fact, Brunson was spotted shooting with Hargitay on Wednesday (Sept. 16).
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“It’s in the works,” she told Marc Malkin at the aforementioned event, adding that Brunson hadn’t given her any preference for the kind of role he wanted. “He’s kind of magnificent that way. He is just open and ready. I don’t think there is much that Jalen can’t do.” The reporter then jokingly suggested that she was trying to get him an Emmy nomination.
Jalen Brunson opened the 2026 Emmys with Mariska Hargitay
Speaking of the Emmy Awards, Brunson opened Monday (Sept. 14) night’s ceremony with a pre-taped segment alongside the actress. “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 asked while steaming her dress, as Brunson did the same with his jersey.
“Seriously?” he responded. “Hey, Jalen, it’s just me. I don’t have anyone to tap it in for me,” Hargitay then hilariously shot back, referencing OG Anunoby’s tip-in during the 2026 NBA Finals. Shortly after, the California native ran out the door once she found out “the opening number is starting.” Revisit the moment below.