Christmas Day NBA basketball has become an annual holiday tradition.
And Suns forward Kevin Durant appears in two ads in the NBA’s new “The Gift of Game” Christmas Day campaign, which promotes the five games on this year’s Christmas Day schedule.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Jalen Brunson, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Luka Doni, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Nikola Joki, and Jayson Tatum all battle it out on the floor in the 30-second spot.
The commercial starts with a small girl spotting Santa wearing the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Reverse Grinch” sneakers going up the chimney before the basketball stars break free from the presents they were wrapped in.
A snowman ornament then throws a basketball to Joki before an incredible full-court game ensues, with Durant serving up a lob to LeBron James, who slams it home.
The advertisement concludes with a family gathered on the staircase watching the event and a young boy exclaiming, “best Christmas ever.”
The Durant miniature is also shown in another scene with Doni. Durant, dressed in the Nike KD16 “Ms. Wanda” sneakers, and Doni, dressed in the Luka 2 “Field Trip” sneakers, are seen complimenting each other’s kicks before a life-size grandpa appears, only to outdo the two by dressed in the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Reverse Grinch,” while a young girl walks by and says, “nice kicks, grandpa.”
The commercials were created by Translation and directed by Dave Scanlon, with live-action and animation by Passion Pictures.
On Christmas Eve, the Suns will play the Mavericks at Footprint Center, with tipoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Prior to that, the Bucks will play the Knicks, the Nuggets will play the Warriors, the Celtics and Lakers will meet in Los Angeles, and the Heat will play the 76ers.