Angel joins Dunk the Halls for its third Christmas Day presentation on December 25, 2026, at noon ET. The real-time animated NBA game returns to a virtual Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, with a new halftime video dance party.
You can watch the Disney character version of the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks on ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel and the ESPN App. The players’ movements come from the actual game at Madison Square Garden, recreated live inside the animated setting.
Angel’s Christmas debut
Angel, also known as Experiment 624 from Lilo & Stitch: The Series, makes her first Dunk the Halls appearance alongside Stitch. She joins Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck in taking part in the game.
The returning Disney lineup also includes Daisy Duck, Pluto, Chip and Dale. Mickey’s Christmas wish to Santa Claus again brings the NBA into the Magic Kingdom setting for the animated matchup.
Main Street, U.S.A. and Cinderella Castle will appear with festive decorations, snowfall and other Disney-inspired surprises throughout the presentation. The basketball game is a rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals, with New York hosting San Antonio.
The halftime dance party
Angel’s Halftime Video Dance Party is one of this year’s new additions. A large video screen will stand in the middle of the animated Main Street, U.S.A., with Disney characters and dancing gingerbread people joining the party.
New Main Street Memories segments will revisit the dunk contest from the original Dunk the Halls and the Christmas Parade from last year’s presentation. Hidden Mickeys, visual gags and Christmas memories from NBA stars are also part of the broadcast.
Santa’s elves return as camera operators, while Santa handles ESPN’s SkyCam. Disney friends will deliver locker room speeches and decorate a large Christmas tree, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will make a special appearance.
How the game works
Sony’s Beyond Sports technology turns each basketball player into a motion-tracked animated version of themselves. Optical tracking data comes from Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations, allowing the presentation to recreate the actual dunks, layups and passes as they happen.
Drew Carter returns on play-by-play alongside ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt. Daisy Duck is back as sideline reporter. Carter and McNutt will appear in animated form and use Meta Quest Pro headsets to experience the virtual Main Street setting.
The traditional Spurs-Knicks telecast will air on ABC and ESPN, with Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler on commentary and Lisa Salters reporting courtside. For Angel’s debut and the new halftime party, choose the Dunk the Halls presentation on ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel or the ESPN App at noon ET on December 25.
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Source: ESPN Press Room
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