It’s perhaps the best gift NBA fans could wish for: five games on Christmas Day, airing across Disney’s platforms of ESPN, ABC, ESPN Plus and Disney Plus.
To promote the day, the NBA partnered with Black-owned agency Translation to produce stop-action spot “Jingle Hoops Regifted,” an animated remix of the league’s 2013 Jingle Hoops commercial.
The new spot turns all of the players into animated action figures, who play their way through a Christmas wonderland. Three of the players featured in the original spot – Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry, LA Lakers’ Lebron James and Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant – are joined by Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić and Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum.
As the players put up three-point shots, they are interrupted by New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić, Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama. A toy figurine of ESPN’s Malika Andrews and a bobblehead of NBA on ABC’s Mike Breen also appear to lend their commentary to the chaos.
“Jingle Hoops Regifted” is now streaming across all NBA social media platforms and in the NBA app. The spot premiered in broadcast during the Emirates NBA Cup East quarterfinal matchup between the Orlando Magic and the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, December 14.
“Jingle Hoops Regifted” was directed by Dave Scanlon with live-action and animation by Passion Pictures. In addition to the 30-second ad, the campaign features four 10-second vignettes and will be extended through complementary out-of-home, digital, social and audio assets.
Fans can also celebrate the 77th year of the NBA on Christmas Day by visiting the NBA Hoopin’ Holiday Bus as it rolls through New York City on Dec. 21 and 22. The NBA and ESPN are partnering on the activation, which will host fans of all ages for holiday fun, games, photo opportunities, hot cocoa and surprises outside of the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue from 11-7 p.m. on Saturday, December 21 and near the Union Square holiday market from 11-7 p.m. on Sunday, December 22.
The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25) for the 17th year in a row, with each matchup available on ESPN, ABC, ESPN Plus and Disney Plus.
The NBA on Christmas Day tips off with the Spurs facing the Knicks in a first-time matchup on Christmas Day (noon ET). A special alternate cast of the game, titled “Dunk the Halls,” will appear on ESPN2, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, marking the first animated presentation of an NBA game.
The Christmas Day slate continues with a 2024 Western Conference Finals rematch between the Mavericks and Timberwolves (2:30 p.m. ET), followed by the 76ers visiting the defending NBA champion Celtics (5 p.m. ET) and the Warriors hosting the Lakers (8 p.m. ET). The Christmas Day schedule will conclude when the Suns host the Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET).
