Mariska Hargitay’s courtside side seat came with an exclusive view — just not one that you’d expect from the pricey position.
The “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star’s courtside seats at Madison Square Garden had their view blocked by the referee when the official was on her side of the court during the Knicks’ 115-111 Game 3 loss to the Spurs in the NBA Finals on Monday night.
The actress can be seen looking around the ref to see the play with co-star Christopher Meloni.
Mariska Hargitay and “Law & Order” co-star Christopher Meloni both lean around an NBA Finals referee during Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. X @SixersAdamFor someone who said she “wouldn’t miss [Game 3] for the world,” not being able to actually watch must be quite the letdown.
While not every ticket was as expensive, two courtside seats went on auction for $1 million — though Hargitay is a regular at Knicks games and likely a celebrity row invitee.
In general, Game 3 is the most expensive ticket in NBA Finals history, with an average price of $7,149, per SeatGeek.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Hargitay have an unlikely friendship thanks to the former Villanova player’s SVU fandom.
Brunson grew up watching SVU, first with his dad.
“It’s a pregame show for me. I’ve always loved that show,” Brunson said on his podcast “The Roommates Show” co-hosted with teammate Josh Hart. “I’ve never been like super super like starstruck — super starstruck. I saw her, I was like ‘Oh shit.’ The first time we met, it was awesome. We talked and everything.”
Mariska Hargitay cheers during Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. AP Photo/Ross D. FranklinKnicks Merch Shop
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After multiple interactions on the court, the two have sparked a relationship that led Brunson and his wife to the premiere of “My Mom Jayne” at the Tribeca Film Festival last year.
Hargitay also said she drew inspiration from the guard during her Broadway debut in “Every Brilliant Thing.”
Mariska Hargitay attends Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks on June 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York. NBAE via Getty Images“He is so singular and magnificent. He’s a magnificent human,” she said.
Brunson is leading the Knicks with 26.6 points per game in the postseason, also adding 6.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds coming into Game 3. He scored 35 points in Monday night’s loss.
The Garden will host Game 4 on Wednesday night before the series heads back to San Antonio on Saturday.
