Mariska Hargitay's hosting duties for the Emmys 2026 kicked off with a special appearance from her close friend, New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson. The athlete, 30, featured in a pre-taped segment during Hargitay's opening monologue, which aired Monday night from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
In the comedic bit, Hargitay expressed the pressure of hosting, stating, "It's just a lot of pressure." As she contemplated the weight of the evening, the camera panned to Brunson, who was seen steaming his New York Knicks jersey. Hargitay quipped, "Have you ever felt like you had millions of eyes on you and it just comes down to one night?" To which Brunson responded in agreement, referencing the Knicks' recent NBA Championship victory. The exchange continued with Hargitay jokingly asking for his help with her dress. The segment concluded as Hargitay prepared to deliver her pre-filmed opener, a rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You."
Hargitay had previously hinted at a potential guest appearance from Brunson during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, playfully suggesting that his teammate OG Anunoby might make a surprise appearance. However, reports confirmed that Brunson's involvement would be a pre-taped cameo.
Brunson's appearance at the Emmys followed a busy weekend in New York City. He received a shout-out from singer Harry Styles during a concert at Madison Square Garden, where Styles referred to him as "the king of New York." Brunson also attended the US Open, where he was seen sitting alongside fellow Knicks fan Ben Stiller. Both Stiller and Hargitay were prominent figures during the Knicks' NBA championship run in June.
Hargitay, who is the first woman to host the Emmy Awards solo in 15 years, expressed her excitement about the role, stating, "Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career. It’s my great honor to host the 78th Emmy Awards … and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers."
Brunson and Hargitay share a well-documented friendship, with Brunson previously stating that Hargitay is the "No. 1" person he looks for on celebrity row during games. He has also supported Hargitay at her Broadway performances.