Indianapolis Airport adds full-size basketball court for NBA All-Star weekend

Declan Mclaughlin
Pacers

The Indianapolis Airport has added a full-sized basketball court to its terminal ahead of the start of the 2024 NBA All-Star weekend.

The 2023-24 NBA season has almost hit the halfway point and teams, along with players, are looking ahead to the NBA All-Star weekend on February 18.

The event, held in Indianapolis, will feature the NBA All-Star exhibition game and other games like the three-point contest and skills challenge. The weekend celebration will be held in the Pacer’s arena in downtown Indianapolis.

Cities that host events like the All-Star game for sports leagues usually go the extra mile to make fans appreciate visiting to see the action. In Indianaposis’s case, the city decided to put basketball at the front of travelers’ minds as soon as they step off the plane.

Indy airport basketball court erected in wait area

The Indianapolis Airport added in a full-sized basketball court to its waiting area in honor of All-Star weekend. The court has been painted into the floor with regulation dimensions, a three-point line, and baskets.

“In 49 states it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana,” the Indiana Pacers social media account said when showcasing the new court.

Indiana is known as the high school basketball capital of the United States, as it has 10 of the 12 largest high school basketball gyms in the country.

Fans will not be able to play on the court, unfortunately, as the baskets are roped off from the public.

That hasn’t stopped those online from making jokes about playing pick-up games before running to catch their flights out of the city.

“When you messed around and got a triple-double but f****d around and missed your flight,” one post said.

The players selected to play in the All-Star game are set to be announced on January 25 with the reserves selected by NBA head coaches on February 1.

About The Author

Based in Indiana, Declan McLaughlin is an esports reporter for Dexerto Esports covering Valorant, LoL and anything else that pops up. Previously an editor and reporter at Upcomer, Declan is often found reading investigative stories or trying to do investigations himself. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Indiana University. You can contact him at declan.mclaughlin@dexerto.com.