Disney's "Dunk the Halls" Returns for Third Christmas Day Matchup, with Angel Joining the Fun

ESPN's popular Dunk the Halls real-time animated NBA game is returning for its third year, bringing a different look to the Spurs vs. Knicks NBA Finals rematch on Christmas Day.

What's Happening:

• The third installment of the special presentation will feature the New York Knicks hosting the San Antonio Spurs in a rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals on Friday, December 25th at noon ET.
• Disney and sports fans will be able to catch this year's Dunk the Halls presentation in a variety of places – including ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel and the ESPN App.
• Using Sony's Beyond Sports real-time visualization technology and Hawk-Eye Innovations optical tracking, the broadcast will transform NBA players into animated versions of themselves, recreating every play from the actual game at Madison Square Garden.
• Once again, the game will be recreated on Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, complete with festive decorations, snowfall and views of Cinderella Castle.
• Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, and Stitch will return for the festivities, with Angel from Lilo & Stitch: The Series making her Dunk the Halls debut.

• This year's presentation will introduce several new elements, including:
  • Angel's Halftime Video Dance Party, featuring Disney characters and dancing gingerbread people.
  • New "Main Street Memories" looking back at the original Dunk the Halls dunk contest and last year's Christmas Parade.
  • Hidden Mickeys, Disney-inspired visual gags and Christmas memories from NBA stars.
  • Special appearances from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Santa Claus, who will once again operate ESPN's SkyCam.
  • Disney characters delivering locker room speeches, decorating a massive Christmas tree and participating in sideline antics.

• Drew Carter and Monica McNutt will return as commentators, with Daisy Duck once again serving as sideline reporter.
• Carter and McNutt will also appear as animated characters, using Meta Quest Pro headsets to experience the game in virtual reality.
• The traditional broadcast will air on ABC and ESPN, with Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler providing commentary and Lisa Salters reporting court-side.
• The Christmas Day matchup will see reigning Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs take on Finals MVP Jalen Brunson and the defending NBA Champion Knicks.
• All five NBA Christmas Day games will air on ABC and ESPN, with the Knicks and Spurs matchup also streaming on Disney+.
• ESPN is also preparing Star Wars Funday Football, an animated presentation of Super Bowl LXI set in the Star Wars galaxy, airing February 14th, 2027.
• For more on Dunk the Halls, be sure to check out our reviews of the 2024 and 2025 broadcasts.

More ESPN News:

• Give Me The Ball! chronicles the life and legacy of tennis icon and equality trailblazer Billie Jean King and will premiere on Disney+ later this month.
• Disney is reportedly interested in French football rights, but they're not the only ones.
• The ongoing partnership between ESPN and the College Football Playoff (CFP) has been expanded once more.
• ESPN has updated its Being Ben documentary with a new Ben Simmons interview following his Achilles injury.