2021 All-Star Weekend

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For the second straight year, Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis reached the final of the Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend. After falling to Bam Adebayo in the finals a year ago, Sabonis came away with the title on Sunday night in Atlanta, defeating Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic in the finals.

"It was definitely fun," Sabonis said. "Since I'm here (for the All-Star Game), I said 'Why not? Let's do it again.' I'm glad I got it done this time.

"It's just a lot of fun to get out there. It's actually a good warm-up before the game."

Sabonis made quick work of Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle in the first round, nailing the pass on his first try while Randle botched his first attempt, then knocking down the 3-pointer to finish the round on his first attempt before Randle could even get a shot off.

PHOTO GALLERY: Pacers at 2021 All-Star Weekend »

That set up a semifinal showdown with Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, who had a bye in the first round. Doncic struggled worse than Randle on the passing station, while Sabonis once again was flawless, securing another easy win.

In the final, he faced off against Vucevic, who knocked out Chris Paul in a tightly contested semifinal. Sabonis trailed Vucevic slightly down the final stretch and both players struggled to hit the 3-pointer at the end. But the 6-11 Lithuanian fired shots in quick succession, eventually connecting on his fourth attempt to come away with the title.

Later that night, Sabonis made his second All-Star appearance official when he checked in to the All-Star Game for the first time to start the second quarter. He got the ball on his first possession, but missed a turnaround jumper over Kyrie Irving on the baseline.

He got on the board at the 8:04 mark, when he received a dish from Doncic and threw down a two-hand slam.

Sabonis' Team LeBron won each of the first three quarters, entering the fourth quarter with a commanding 146-125 lead. Under the new All-Star Game rules installed last year, the untimed fourth quarter set a target score of 170 (the leading teams' score through three quarters plus 24) to end the game.

Sabonis started the fourth quarter and quickly helped his team near closer to victory, corralling the rebound after Doncic missed a three and kicking to Jaylen Brown in the left corner for a three. Brown hit the shot and was fouled on the play. The ensuing free throw completed a four-point play and gave Team LeBron 153 points.

The Pacers big man checked out for the final time with his team leading 159-141. Damian Lillard took over from there, scoring Team LeBron's final 11 points and closing with three straight 3-pointers, the final one from halfcourt to seal a 170-150 victory.

Sabonis logged 18 minutes, tallying two points, one rebound, and one assist.

"During the game I'm sitting next to a bunch of MVPs," Sabonis said. "Obviously, it's the best league in the world. Hall of Famers, all-time greats, just trying to soak it all in. Leaving with a 'W' always makes it better."

By winning each of the first three quarters and the game, Team LeBron raised $1.25 million to be donated to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP after scoring 35 points on perfect 16-for-16 shooting.

Pacers rookie Cassius Stanley finished in third place in the 2021 Slam Dunk Contest, which was held during halftime of Sunday's All-Star Game.

Stanley went first in the competition and threw down an impressive slam on his first attempt. After lobbing the ball up in the air, he caught it off the bounce with his right hand and went between his legs for a left-handed slam.

The Pacers rookie looked like he expected a perfect score of 50 from the judges, but he only received a 44. That put him in third place entering the second round, after Knicks forward Obi Toppin was given a 48 and Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons received a 46.

"I think my dunk was pretty good," Stanley said after the competition. "The judges thought it was the lowest dunk of the round, so that is what it is. It's an opinionated thing."

In the second round, Stanley originally appeared to be attempting a dunk where he put it under both legs, but couldn't complete the transfer on two attempts. He then changed course and tried a simpler lob into a one-hand tomahawk dunk, which he missed once before completing on the second try.

The judges gave Stanley a 37 for his second dunk, preventing him from advancing to the finals. He declined to reveal what dunk he had planned for the finals in case he is invited back to compete again, but did say that Sabonis was going to be involved in his last dunk.

Simons won the contest, defeating Toppin in the finals, which was determined by a 3-2 vote from the judges' panel, with Jason Richardson, Dominique Wilkins, and Dee Brown voting for Simons while Spud Webb and Josh Smith picked Toppin as the winner.

"I want to do it again," Stanley said. "I'll do it next year. I think I know what I've got to do and what I don't have to do."

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Sabonis Wins Skills Challenge in Second All-Star Appearance

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INDIANAPOLIS – The National Basketball Association announced Tuesday that Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis and guard Cassius Stanley will participate in events during NBA All-Star 2021. Sabonis will participate in the Taco Bell® Skills Challenge and Stanley will compete in AT&T Slam Dunk on Sunday, March 7 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, where the league's annual celebration of the game will take place on one night for the first time.

Sabonis, who was selected to his second consecutive NBA All-Star Game last week, will also participate in the Skills Challenge for the second straight season. He finished as the runner-up in the competition during NBA All-Star 2020. Sabonis also previously participated in NBA All-Star Weekend in 2017 and 2018 as part of the Rising Stars Challenge.

Stanley, a 6-6 rookie guard, was selected by the Pacers with the 54th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He is the 12th Pacers player to take part in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and the first since Victor Oladipo in 2018.

TNT's NBA All-Star coverage will begin Sunday, March 7 at 5:00 p.m. (ET). The Taco Bell® Skills Challenge and MTN DEW® 3-Point Contest will start at 6:30 p.m. Coverage of the 70th NBA All-Star Game will begin at 8:00 p.m., and AT&T Slam Dunk will take place at halftime.

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Sabonis, Stanley to Participate in NBA All-Star 2021 Events

INDIANAPOLIS – The National Basketball Association announced Friday that Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, March 7, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

In his fifth NBA season and fourth with the Pacers, Sabonis was named an NBA All-Star for the second consecutive season. Sabonis previously participated in his first NBA All-Star Game in 2020, and NBA All-Star Weekend in 2017 and 2018 as part of the Rising Stars Challenge.

Sabonis set a Pacers franchise record by opening the season with 16 consecutive double-doubles. He ranks second in the NBA this season overall with 24 double-doubles. Sabonis has posted three triple-doubles on the year and is now the franchise’s leader in career triple-doubles with seven.

Sabonis is the sixth player in franchise history to be selected to multiple NBA All-Star Games, joining Jermaine O’Neal (6), Reggie Miller (5), Paul George (4), Roy Hibbert (2) and Victor Oladipo (2).

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Sabonis Added to 2021 NBA All-Star Game

INDIANAPOLIS – Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) today announced Dianna Boyce has been named Vice President, 2021 NBA All-Star, Inc. and Mariah Bird has been named Manager of Event Activations and Venues as plans begin to ramp up for the February 2021 weekend.

Boyce most recently served as Senior Director, Corporate Communications at The Finish Line, Inc. and began her NBA All-Star duties last week. She will strategically lead the planning and implementation for marketing and communications as well as coordinate the operations, host committee and legacy components.

"Dianna has a proven track record in sports management and implementation including serving as a senior member of the staff for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee," said Mel Raines, Senior Vice President, PS&E and President, 2021 NBA All-Star, Inc. "She brings a wealth of experience with organizing multiple facets of major projects as well as engaging and activating community involvement. I am confident she will work with our Host Committee to deliver the most successful All-Star event in NBA history."

"Alongside our 2021 NBA All-Star Co-Chairs, Board of Directors and Pacers Sports & Entertainment staff, I am thrilled to take part in developing and implementing plans for 2021 NBA All-Star," said Boyce. "With an international stage during that 2021 February weekend, our city and state will once again share our greatest strengths with visitors, the NBA and our local communities. It's an honor – and humbling – to be part of an event that will impact and engage communities throughout Indiana for generations to come."

Most recently as Senior Director of Corporate Communications at Finish Line, she served on the senior leadership team managing and directing strategic communication initiatives, media relations and public relations for employees, shareholders and the public. Prior to Finish Line and Super Bowl XLVI, Boyce served in various roles including Lumina Foundation, Southwest Gas Corporation and Methodist Hospital (currently IU Health). She also served the community in several roles with Mayor Stephen Goldsmith. Her community involvement includes serving on the Indianapolis Zoobilation committee and several committees with Indiana Sports Corporation.

Boyce is a native of Indianapolis and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from DePauw University and her Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University. She and her husband live in Zionsville and have two daughters.

Bird most recently served as Event Coordinator and Special Projects for PS&E. In her new role, she will coordinate downtown and ancillary activations, including Georgia Street and the Nothing But Knit program announced earlier this year. She will also work closely with the All-Star local organizing committee, the control center and the fan hotline.

She graduated with honors from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science and Recreation degree in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management. During college, Bird served as an intern with PS&E. After graduation, she obtained her real estate license and then joined PS&E in 2014 as an Event Coordinator.

"For the last four years, Mariah has seamlessly organized and implemented major events in and around the Fieldhouse," added Raines. "With 20 months until NBA All-Star weekend, we are excited to get our team in place and put the wheels in motion to create an epic event for all to enjoy."

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Pacers Sports & Entertainment Names 2021 NBA All-Star Staff

Two years from today, all eyes will be on Indianapolis as the city hosts the 70th NBA All-Star Game on Valentine's Day in 2021.

Preparations are well underway for the return of the NBA's signature event to the Circle City for the first time since 1985. Shortly after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced in Dec. 2017 that NBA All-Star 2021 would return to Indianapolis, city leaders came together and formed the 2021 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee to plan for the event.

On Wednesday, the Local Organizing Committee announced its first major community initiative for NBA All-Star 2021. Nothing But Knit calls on fans to help create 5,000 Nothing But Knit beanies to be worn by volunteers and frontline hospitality employees during the NBA All-Star 2021 and given as gifts to All-Star players, coaches and other NBA VIPs.

In creating Nothing But Knit, the Local Organizing Committee drew inspiration from a similar campaign that asked fans to knit scarves when Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl in 2012.

"Nothing But Knit provides a great way for us to reach out to other parts of our community to engage them in our planning so we are game-ready for February 2021," said Carolene Mays-Medley, Executive Director of the White River State Park Development Commission and a member of the Local Organizing Committee. "We're calling on all those who knit and crochet to get your needles moving."

Interested knitters can visit Pacers.com/NothingButKnit for detailed instructions on where to pick up knitting kits, patterns, and more. The Pacers will also host knitting events at upcoming games on Feb. 28, March 12, and April 1 and the first 50 knitters to RSVP for any of those dates to NothingButKnit@pacers.com will receive two complimentary tickets to that night's game.

And while All-Star guard Victor Oladipo will be unable to represent the Pacers organization in the 2019 All-Star Game in Charlotte on Sunday as he recovers from season-ending surgery, the Pacers will still send a contingent to North Carolina, just as they have done for the three previous All-Star host cities.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and COO Rick Fuson serves as chairman of the Local Organizing Committee. The four co-chairs of the committee are Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever legend and current PS&E Director of Player Programs and Franchise Development), Cindy Simon Skjodt (philanthropist and niece of Pacers owner Herb Simon), Aasif Bade (President of Ambrose Property Group), and Rafael Sanchez (President of Private Banking for Old National Bank).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2021 ALL-STAR GAME: Pacers.com/AllStar2021 »

"We're there to learn," Fuson said about the group's visits to All-Star Weekend. "Although I believe that Indianapolis does events better than anybody else — we have the best downtown for an event like this — we still can learn and we can still get ideas from other folks. That's why we continue to go to these events."

After this weekend, there will only be one more All-Star Game (Chicago in 2020) before it is Indianapolis' turn to host the prestigious event. Rest assured, the Local Organizing Committee will continue its tireless effort to ensure that not only are they ready for 2021, but that they raise the bar for future host cities.

"We are committed," Fuson said. "Herb Simon, our owner, and (President of Basketball Operations) Kevin Pritchard and all of us are committed to making this the best All-Star game ever."

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Preparation Continues for NBA All-Star 2021

The 2021 NBA All-Star Game may still be three years away, but preparations for the weekend are already well underway.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced on Dec. 13 that the league chose Indianapolis to host its 70th All-Star Game, the first time the event will be held in the Circle City since 1985. In the ensuing months, Indianapolis leaders have joined forces to create the 2021 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee to plan for hosting the NBA's signature event.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and COO Rick Fuson serves as chairman of the committee. The four co-chairs of the committee are Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever legend and current PS&E Director of Player Programs and Franchise Development), Cindy Simon Skjodt (philanthropist and niece of Pacers owner Herb Simon), Aasif Bade (President of Ambrose Property Group), and Rafael Sanchez (President and CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light Company).

That group headed to Los Angeles this weekend to observe and participate in All-Star festivities, gathering insight as they prepare for Indianapolis' turn as host city. Steve Simon and other members of the Local Organizing Committee joined them on the trip.

A similar contingent attended All-Star festivities in Toronto in 2016 and New Orleans in 2017 as the Pacers prepared their bid to the league. The newly-formed committee will also have a presence in Charlotte next year and Chicago in 2020.

"Everybody does things a little bit differently," Fuson said. "And everything that we can pick up — when it comes to signage or some hospitality thing that they do or the transportation or how they treat people in the hotels — it makes it a little easier for us to say, 'Okay, let's elevate to that program' or 'Let's beat it by one more step.'"

No one played a more important role in Indianapolis being awarded the 2021 All-Star Game than Herb Simon. As the NBA's longest-tenured owner, Simon was the driving force behind the franchise deciding to bid on the game.

Pacers co-owner Steve Simon said it was especially important for his father to get the NBA "to shine a light on the city of Indianapolis" after all the city has done for him.

The Simon family continues to play an active role in the planning process for 2021.

"There's incredible excitement, but it's also nerve-wracking, too, because every year at the All-Star Game, the bar is raised higher and higher," Steve Simon said.

"We do big events as well as anyone, so I think we're all confident we're going to raise the bar and bring an incredible event with great activation and great energy. But there's a lot of work left to do."

Fuson said he considers his four co-chairs a "dream team," with each member bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge from a variety of backgrounds.

Simon Skjodt, for instance, worked side-by-side with Fuson when Indianapolis last hosted the All-Star Game in 1985. Much like the city of Indianapolis, the event has grown tremendously over the past three decades, but the lessons learned from that experience still can provide value.

"I think the key is to have really good people," Simon Skjodt said.

That description most certainly applies to Catchings, who herself is no stranger to All-Star Weekend, having represented the Fever and the WNBA in a number of All-Star events over the years.

That experience has allowed Catchings to share insight about what makes for a good host city. She learned firsthand just how exhausting the weekend can be for players, who have numerous commitments between the All-Star events, media obligations, sponsorship appearances, and community service events.

In Catchings' opinion, Indianapolis is naturally a perfect fit with a compact and walkable downtown area, with most of the major hotels, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Indiana Convention Center, and Lucas Oil Stadium separated by a half-mile or less.

Serving on this committee is a new role for Catchings, one of several committee members who Fuson said represent "a new generation of leaders in our town."

"I'm extremely excited to be representing Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Fever and the Pacers," Catchings said. "It's not just NBA All-Star, the WNBA and the G League will be represented, as well. I think that's where my level of excitement is, being able to join forces with all of our organizations and put on a show."

This was the first time Sanchez attended All-Star Weekend, but he's no stranger to putting on big events. Sanchez served on the Indianapolis Super Bowl host committee in 2012, an experience that he said helps him "understand the big picture" of all it takes to host a major sports event.

For Sanchez, spending time in Los Angeles has provided invaluable insights into understanding everything that goes into hosting the All-Star Game.

"There's no substitute to seeing and participating and doing it yourself to just kind of visualize how would this work in Indianapolis," Sanchez said.

Bade, another first-time All-Star attendee, marveled at the scope of what transpires at the annual basketball showcase.

The committee attended numerous events while in Los Angeles, including the NBA Cares Day of Service at the LA Regional Food Bank, the Rising Stars Challenge, the Newsmaker Breakfast, All-Star Media Day and Practice, All-Star Saturday Night, the Legends Brunch, and the All-Star Game.

"Obviously as a fan, you're aware of the three or four things that are on TV," Bade said. "But I've been amazed in terms of all of the things going on behind the scenes and the reach that the NBA has…It's unbelievable the reach of the NBA and the WNBA. That's probably been the most eye-opening part."

When they return to Indianapolis, the committee members will compare notes from their time in Los Angeles and continue formulating a vision for what Indianapolis can do to push the envelope in 2021. But each member expressed extreme confidence in the city's ability to put on a great show, citing a long and successful history of hosting major events, including the 2012 Super Bowl and numerous Final Fours.

In fact, the 2021 All-Star Game will be part of a remarkable run for downtown Indianapolis, which in a 13-month span will host two Big Ten football championship games (in Dec. 2020 and 2021), the NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 2021), the Big Ten women's basketball tournament (March 2021), the NCAA men's Final Four (April 2021), and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game (Jan. 2022).

"It's embedded in our DNA," Sanchez said. "I think families come out and support it, they get behind it. People want to volunteer. There's all kinds of public/private partnerships.

"There's so much tremendous opportunity and I think it's just embedded at this point in the Indianapolis culture to put on high-caliber events with exceptional customer service and exceptional engagement from people from all backgrounds. It's what makes our city great."

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Indianapolis Committee Attends All-Star Weekend to Gather Insights for 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 13, 2017 – The NBA announced today that Indianapolis has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2021. The 70th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers, on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021.  This will mark the second NBA All-Star in Indianapolis, which hosted the midseason classic in 1985.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. He was joined by Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett as well as Pacers Sports & Entertainment owner Herb Simon, President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Fuson and President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard.

"Indianapolis has an enduring love for basketball that creates a special connection to our All-Star Game," said Silver. "I want to especially thank Herb Simon for his efforts to bring the All-Star festivities back to Indianapolis as well as acknowledge the strong support we received from Governor Holcomb, Mayor Hogsett, Larry Bird, Rick Fuson and the entire Pacers organization."

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Indianapolis will follow Los Angeles in 2018, Charlotte in 2019 and Chicago in 2020 as All-Star host. The NBA All-Star Game will be played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the first time.

"On behalf of all of us at Pacers Sports & Entertainment, I am delighted that the NBA is entrusting us with NBA All-Star 2021 and we look forward to putting on a week of events that highlights the city that I love and meets the league's expectations," said Simon.

"We are thrilled with the NBA's decision to bring its showcase event, the NBA All-Star Game, to Indianapolis in 2021," said Holcomb.  "No state nurtures and loves the game of basketball more than Indiana, and I am certain that my fellow Hoosiers will embrace the game and related events with uncommon passion and support."

"We're so excited to welcome the world back to our city and Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game," said Hogsett. "Indianapolis' legacy is one that has truly been enriched by our chase of the next big game, and that story continues thanks to what we hope will be the best NBA All-Star Game and weekend yet."

"This is another great day in our city's sports history as well as a fitting tribute to the longest-tenured owner in the NBA, Herb Simon," said Fuson. "Just as we have done with so many major events in the past, we pledge to give our best efforts in making NBA All-Star 2021 exceptionally welcoming, convenient, creative and memorable."

In partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Indiana Sports Corp. and Visit Indy have worked in tandem to bring NBA All-Star 2021 to Indianapolis.

RELATED: Revisit Pacers' Unique All-Star Bid Delivery »

Fuson, who was the Pacers' operational lead for the 1985 NBA All-Star Game in the Hoosier Dome, will serve as Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee. The LOC President will be Mel Raines, who is PS&E's Senior Vice President for Facilities Operations. Raines played a leading role as Vice President of Government Relations and Operations for Indianapolis' highly acclaimed 2012 Super Bowl.

Volunteer co-chairs of the LOC will be Rafael Sanchez, President and CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light Company; Aasif Bade, President of Ambrose Property Group; civic leader and philanthropist Cindy Simon Skjodt; and Tamika Catchings, retired star of the WNBA's Indiana Fever who now serves as Director of Player Programs and Franchise Development for Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Catchings also directs her Catch the Stars Foundation.

NBA All-Star 2021 on-court events at Bankers Life Fieldhouse will include top rookies and second-year players in the Rising Stars on Friday, Feb. 12, followed the next day by the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the JBL Three-Point Contest and the Verizon Slam Dunk during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night. On Sunday, TNT will be televising the All-Star Game in prime time for the 19th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports' 36th year of All-Star coverage.

Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center will be among the other venues throughout Indianapolis that will host events, including the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA All-Star and Rising Stars practices.  Several events will feature interactive programming that brings fans of all ages closer to NBA and WNBA players and legends.

During NBA All-Star 2021, the NBA will continue to celebrate its tradition and commitment to social responsibility with a full schedule of NBA Cares events.  Through partnerships with schools, government and local nonprofit organizations in Indianapolis and surrounding areas, the league will reach thousands of children and families and provide important resources to community-based programs.

Indianapolis previously hosted NBA All-Star in 1985, when the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 140-129 in the 35th All-Star Game.  The crowd of 43,146 at the Hoosier Dome was the largest to attend an NBA game at the time.

All-Star Game MVP Ralph Sampson of the Houston Rockets finished with a game-high 24 points and a team-high 10 rebounds for the West, while Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson added 21 points and 15 assists.  Detroit Pistons guard Isiah Thomas (22 points) and Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird (21 points) led the East.  Rookies Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and Hakeem Olajuwon of the Rockets made their All-Star debuts.

NBA All-Star 1985 also featured a memorable Slam Dunk Contest, won by Atlanta Hawks forward Dominique Wilkins after a final-round duel with Jordan.

Established in 1967, the Pacers spent their first nine seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA).  During that time, Indianapolis hosted two ABA All-Star Games, at Hinkle Fieldhouse (1968) and the Fairgrounds Coliseum (1970).  The Pacers won three ABA championships before joining the NBA in 1976.

In 1953, the NBA's third All-Star Game was played at the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind., the current home of the Pacers' NBA G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

2021 All‑Star Weekend