Disney, ESPN and the NBA are bringing their holiday-themed alternate broadcast back to Christmas Day with the second edition of Dunk the Halls, a real-time animated presentation of the Cleveland Cavaliers–New York Knicks matchup. The unique telecast airs December 25 at noon ET on ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and the ESPN App, while a traditional broadcast will be available on ABC, ESPN, Disney+ and the ESPN App.
The collaboration again leans on Sony’s Beyond Sports technology, which transforms live player tracking data into a fully animated NBA game in real time. This year’s version revisits a virtual “Main Street, U.S.A.” inside Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, delivering a holiday backdrop filled with snow, decorations and new surprises.
Iconic Disney characters — Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip and Dale — will return to the sidelines. However, the most notable addition is Stitch, who joins the broadcast for the first time and quickly becomes the centerpiece of the storyline. His mischievous energy drives several elements throughout the show, including a revamped halftime Christmas Parade in which floats led by Mickey & Minnie, Donald & Daisy, Goofy & Pluto and Stitch compete for “Best Christmas Parade Float.”
Daisy Duck will again handle sideline reporting duties, conducting a special interview with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Meanwhile, Santa’s elves will reprise their roles as camera operators, and Santa himself will pilot ESPN’s “SkyCam.” Disney characters will also participate in pregame and halftime segments, including decorating a massive Christmas tree.
As with the inaugural edition last year, players from both teams will appear as animated versions of themselves, tracked live via Beyond Sports visualization and Hawk-Eye Innovations optical technology. Every dunk, layup and pass mirrors what is happening simultaneously inside Madison Square Garden.
Drew Carter and ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt return to the animated broadcast booth. Both will once again appear in the show’s animation style and wear Meta Quest Pro headsets as part of the telecast’s virtual-reality component. The traditional ABC/ESPN broadcast will feature Ryan Ruocco, Doris Burke and reporter Jorge Sedano.
Dunk the Halls continues ESPN’s push into alternative broadcasts and real-time animation, building on previous projects such as Marvel’s 2021 Arena of Heroes NBA alt-cast. The company has expanded these efforts across additional sports as well. ESPN recently announced Monsters Funday Football for Monday Night Football on December 8 and plans to produce animated NHL and WNBA games during the 2025-26 season as part of its new agreement with Beyond Sports.
All five NBA Christmas Day games will air across ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App.
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