30 teams start the journey, but only two are left standing. Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The NBA’s new creative spot for the 2026 NBA Finals, “History Is Calling”, debuted Wednesday and will stream across all @NBA social platforms and on the NBA App. The spot, chronicling the NBA Finals matchup between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, is built around an original score created by three-time Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy® Award-winning composer Nicholas Britell and GRAMMY® Award-winning rap icon Nas.
The creative marks the first expression of the NBA’s new signature audio identity, designed to serve as a connective tissue across the NBA ecosystem and deepen how fans around the world experience the NBA.
Set to Britell’s original composition and featuring Nas’ narrative voice, “History Is Calling” captures the emotion and intensity of the NBA Finals, from the anticipation before tipoff to the momentum shifts, pressure moments and defining plays that shape championship outcomes.
Britell’s composition draws inspiration from the rhythm and emotional progression of basketball. Nas helped shape the sound and provides the voice heard throughout the creative, bringing a perspective rooted in storytelling, culture and a long-standing connection to the game.
Additional creative pieces built around the score have appeared throughout the postseason, tracing the arc of each series as the playoffs built toward the Finals. Britell and Nas will continue expanding their partnership with the league beyond the NBA Finals, scoring additional musical pieces and audio elements for in-arena, broadcast and other fan-facing experiences.
Britell is known for composing some of the most recognizable film and television scores of the past decade, including Succession, Moonlight and Andor. Nas is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in hip-hop and storytelling. Together, the two artists are helping redefine the NBA’s approach to music as another way to connect with fans, with NBA games and programming reaching audiences in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.
The 2026 NBA Finals tips off tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
