NBA Dunk the Halls: Christmas Game Featuring Disney Characters

ESPN is launching an innovative and quirky event called "Dunk the Halls," set to debut on Christmas Day with a live NBA game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Utilizing Sony's Beyond Sports technology, players will be animated into cartoon characters alongside classic Disney icons like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. This unique presentation aims to combine basketball with the magic of Disney, reimagining Madison Square Garden as Main Street, USA. The event will feature real-time animation where every play of the game is transformed into a festive, animated spectacle, allowing fans to enjoy a visually entertaining viewing experience on ESPN2, Disney+, and ESPN+.

The Dunk the Halls event is an NBA Christmas Day matchup that uses AI technology to turn players into animated characters while incorporating Disney elements, providing a whimsical take on a traditional basketball game.

This event reflects a growing trend of blending sports with entertainment, drawing on the popularity of AI and animation. It follows earlier AI experiments in sports, such as a presentation during NBA All-Star Weekend showcasing a game in a Spider-Man animation style, although this move has sparked some controversy and criticism from creators in the industry.