‘Law & Order’: Christopher Meloni explains Mariska Hargitay friendship
“Law & Order: Organized Crime” star Christopher Meloni chats with USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa about the friendship he has with Mariska Hargitay.
Fans tuning in to a New York Knicks game have at some point probably seen actress Mariska Hargitay in the crowd at Madison Square Garden.
The star of the long-running NBC show “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is a frequent presence along the sideline at MSG, with Knicks star Jalen Brunson calling the actress “my favorite person ever.” What better co-sign could a fan ask for?
Hargitay is far from the only major name from the world of entertainment making sure to get prime seats for the Eastern Conference finals series against the Indiana Pacers. Director Spike Lee, basically ever-present in courtside seats, is embedded in the fabric of Knicks culture thanks to a 1994 playoff battle that saw the director and Indiana star Reggie Miller carry on a war of words. Actor Timothée Chalamet is also a devoted Knicks fan, as anyone watching this year’s playoffs has noticed.
Here’s what to know about Knicks superfan Mariska Hargitay:
Who is Mariska Hargitay?
If you’ve been following the Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference finals during these NBA playoffs, you’ve definitely seen Mariska Hargitay. The actress is frequently seen sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden, usually just a few seats away from film director Spike Lee.
Hargitay is most well-known for playing Olivia Benson, the protagonist of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” one of the longest-running scripted shows in American television history. Hargitay — whose mother was actress Jayne Mansfield — has been there from the beginning for a show that first aired in 1999 on NBC, and has been a part of 26 seasons.
Between the show’s unique durability and its prominence as a syndicated program shown across many different cable networks, it would be almost impossible to have missed Hargitay over the years. If “SVU” isn’t your cup of tea, you may still remember Hargitay from hit shows like “In the Heat of the Night,” “Baywatch,” “Seinfeld” (she was even in the running to play that show’s female lead character, Elaine Benes), and “ER.”
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers: How to watch NBA playoff series
The entire NBA Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers will be broadcast on TNT and truTV. Fans looking to stream the action can turn to Max, Sling TV, and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.
Watch the Knicks-Pacers NBA playoff series on Fubo
All times Eastern.
- Game 1: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT)
- Game 2: Pacers at Knicks | Friday, May 23 | 8 p.m.
- Game 3: Knicks at Pacers | Sunday, May 25 | 8 p.m.
- Game 4: Knicks at Pacers | Tuesday, May 27 | 8 p.m.
- Game 5: Pacers at Knicks | Thursday, May 29 | 8 p.m. (if necessary)
- Game 6: Knicks at Pacers | Saturday, May 31 | 8 p.m. (if necessary)
- Game 7: Pacers at Knicks | Monday, June 2 | 8 p.m. (if necessary)
