The Indiana Pacers, who were set to host the 2021 All-Star Game and Weekend in the upcoming season, revealed on Wednesday that those plans have been put on hold until 2024.
The league made the decision to call off the All-Star Game and its related festivities in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the altered season schedule, which will start in late December.
It was a tough bit of news for Indianapolis and the Pacers, but they will have the game to look forward to after all, even if it comes a few years later than they expected.
In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “While we are disappointed that the NBA All-Star Game will not take place in Indianapolis in 2021, we are looking forward to the Pacers and the city hosting the game and surrounding events in 2024.”
The Pacers have not hosted the All-Star Game since 1985 when the West beat the East by a 140-129 final score. Rockets center Ralph Sampson was named the game’s MVP.
The league hopes to see the All-Star Game and Weekend return in 2022 when it will be hosted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it’ll make a stop in Salt Lake City in 2023 before ending up in Indianapolis.
