Jalen Brunson was on everyone’s screens in June, but an upcoming cameo appearance might qualify as his “small screen” debut.
The Knicks star landed a role in an episode of “Law & Order: SVU” alongside Knicks super-fan Mariska Hargitay, continuing a dream year for Brunson.
The reigning NBA Finals MVP also hosted “Saturday Night Live” in September, so he appears to be getting comfortable in front of the camera.
Here’s what you need to know about Brunson’s role on the long-running show.
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Jalen Brunson ‘Law & Order: SVU’ scenes
The full extent of Brunson’s time on screen isn’t clear leading up to the premiere, but fans got a taste of what the Knicks star looks like on “Law & Order” with this trailer released a week before the episode:
Jalen Brunson will appear as a detective in the next episode of ‘LAW & ORDER: SVU’. https://t.co/IHUHoDN48c
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 30, 2026
Brunson isn’t playing himself, so he really had to get into the acting spirit as he prepared for his role.
Why is Jalen Brunson on ‘Law & Order: SVU’
Brunson is friends with “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay, who is a regular on celebrity row at Madison Square Garden.
In May, Hargitay told NBC’s Savannah Guthrie that Brunson was on her bucket list of individuals she wanted to make a cameo appearance on the show.
“Two people, and they both start with ‘J,'” Hargitay said. “Jamie Lee Curtis and my Jalen Brunson.”
There’s no word on whether Curtis has the time to make an appearance, but Brunson found time in a whirlwind year to study the script and make his acting debut alongside a friend.
Brunson told reporters ahead of the episode’s premiere that he enjoyed his time on set.
“Fun. Really fun. A lot of fun,” Brunson said when asked about his experience. “Like, a lot of fun.”
Jalen Brunson had a lot of fun being in Law & Order The episode debuts on Thursday night https://t.co/l0b7r39Jbi
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) November 3, 2026
Here’s more to know about Brunson’s character on the show.
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Who is Jalen Brunson’s character on ‘Law & Order: SVU’?
Brunson isn’t playing himself: the NBA Finals MVP will play a detective, Detective Madison, in an episode set to air on Thursday, Nov. 5. The name, of course, could very well be a reference to Madison Square Garden.
While Brunson’s appearance in the episode’s trailer is brief, he is seen speaking to Hargitay’s character.
The appearance will mark Brunson’s acting debut, though he had to get comfortable in front of the camera when he hosted “Saturday Night Live” in September.
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