NBA Finals: Costner, Kaling, Fans Recreate Moments In ‘Unforgettable Awaits’
Monday, May 19, 2025 at 01:36PM By Barry Janoff
May 19, 2025: The NBA is down to its version of the Final Four, but is already looking ahead to the 2025 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV with a multi-media effort that looks back at classic Finals moments.
“Unforgettable Awaits” features people in everyday life reenacting Finals enduring scenes. They’re having so much fun that even Kevin Costner and Mindy Kaling get in on the action.
The anchor spot plays out to the song “Unforgettable” by legendary singer Nat King Cole.
The effort is a follow-up to the league’s post-season campaign, “Don’t Miss A Thing,” which plays out to Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.”
Costner appears on a movie set and tosses a cup into the trash, evoking Magic Johnson’s “junior sky hook” when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics.
Kaling plays ping-pong against her father, Avu, and brags about her victory with Stephen Curry’s “night, night” celebration.
A guy shoots an ice cube into a glass to remember Michael Jordan’s game winning shot, a girl gets sprayed by water to recreate Tim Duncan being showered by confetti after the San Antonio Spurts won the crown and a dad playing hoops with his daughter in their driveway tosses her in the air, as Jayson Tatum did with his son when the Celtics won the title last season.
“The next chapter of NBA history will be written in the Finals,” Tammy Henault, NBA CMO, said via the league.
“This campaign captures the excitement and anticipation of what’s ahead, while celebrating the stars who have risen to the occasion in the past. The Finals are upon us, and when you watch, you’re likely to witness truly unforgettable basketball moments.”
“Unforgettable Awaits” was directed by Paul Geusebroek and produced in collaboration with Translation.
The full spot 1:30-second will be also seen in 10-, 15- 30- and 60-second versions across ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV; as well as the NBA app, Internet, social media and in-arena.
A corresponding print, digital, audio and out-of-home campaign will also extend “Unforgettable Awaits” globally.
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