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NBA All-Star weekend arrives in Indianapolis–a 21st-time event for LeBron

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NBA All-Star weekend arrives in Indianapolis–a 21st-time event for LeBron


Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Yannick Peterhans)

INDIANAPOLIS — Welcome back, LeBron James. Welcome for the first time, Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey.

All-Star weekend in Indianapolis is here, with some familiar names, some new faces, a nod to nostalgia and a bit of unwinding for everyone before the stretch run of the season. Most of the 54 players who will be part of the weekend’s on-court festivities — and quite a few more are coming as well — began arriving on Thursday.

The rundown of events, and there are dozens, officially opened Thursday night with a tip-off party. Indiana All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton showed up in the ultimate Hoosier State style, in an IndyCar — the state may be hoops-crazy, but auto racing is pretty big here as well — driven by Indiana native Conor Daly, a two-time top-10 finisher at the Indianapolis 500.

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Haliburton shared the stage with another legend of basketball in Indiana — Larry Bird, who handed Haliburton a ceremonial golden basketball.

“The fans are excited. I’m excited,” Haliburton said. “It’s a chance to showcase our city.”

For LeBron, it’s his 21st All-Star weekend in his 21 NBA seasons. He didn’t make the All-Star Game as a rookie; he made the weekend as part of the rookie game. He’s made every All-Star Game since, now the first player to be picked for the showcase in 20 different seasons. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a 19-time selection.

“I’m humbled and very blessed, obviously,” James said. “I don’t take it for granted, being an All-Star. The fact that I still get to represent this franchise, one, my family — which is most important, my family name on the back of the jersey, that’s very important to me when it comes to acknowledgement and accolades and things of that nature — and also the fans, who’ve been down with me for the last two decades-plus.”

There is something for everyone. There are all the traditional NBA on-court events — the Rising Stars and celebrity games on Friday; the dunk contest, 3-point shootout and skills competition on Saturday; then the All-Star Game itself on Sunday. Added to the slate for Saturday: a 3-point contest between NBA shooting king Stephen Curry and WNBA 3-point contest record-holder Sabrina Ionescu.

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There’s a game between a pair of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as the NBA continues to give HBCU institutions part of the All-Star spotlight. This year, the game is Virginia Union against Winston-Salem State on Saturday afternoon. This weekend, a glass LED court is set to be part of the show on Friday and Saturday. There’s even a fan event called NBA Crossover, set up in a 350,000-square-foot space where ticketholders can try virtual reality headsets, test out the latest offerings from Jordan Brand, play with an airless basketball, even get a haircut while playing video games. And there’s a brunch honoring icons of the game on Sunday, an event that’s almost as tough a ticket to get as the game itself.

“Honestly, it’s just amazing to be an All-Star,” Banchero said. The Orlando forward was at All-Star weekend last year for rookie and skills events — this year, he’s got events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, having made the big game for the first time.

Banchero is one of four first-time All-Stars, joining New York’s Brunson, Philadelphia’s Maxey and Toronto’s Barnes. Plenty of other players are part of the weekend for the first time; that’s what events like the Rising Stars games are about, to give the league’s top promising players a chance to get a feel for the big stage.

“I’m excited to get there, excited to let it all sink in,” said San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft who has the Rising Stars games and the skills competition on his on-court calendar this weekend.

Above all else, it’s a weekend for the fans. The All-Stars who’ll play Sunday combined to get more than 60 million votes from fans around the world. The game will be shown in more than 210 countries and territories, broadcast in 60 languages, and fans from at least 34 different nations have bought tickets to come to Indianapolis this weekend.

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They probably don’t care who wins. They just want to see a show.



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“I try to do it for them,” LeBron said. “They’ve been along this journey for so long. It’s pretty cool to still be able to do it and do it at this level.”





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IMPD: Person shot in vicinity of East Washington Street gas station

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IMPD: Person shot in vicinity of East Washington Street gas station


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A person was shot Sunday afternoon at a gas station along East Washington Street in Indianapolis, police said.

Medics and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called about 5:10 p.m. Sunday to a report of a person shot and an unsafe gunshot scene at 4415 E. Washington St. That’s the address of a Citgo gas station located a few blocks west of Emerson Avenue.

The person shot was stable, awake and breathing, IMPD said in a media notification. IMPD did not plan to provide any more information from the crime scene on Sunday.

No additional information was immediately available, including whether the area was safe or if a suspect was in custody or being sought.

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Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence

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Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence


Source: KiddNation / Kidd Nation

Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence

INDIANAPOLIS — A series of overnight shootings across Indianapolis left at least two people dead and several others injured, capping a violent stretch that kept police and emergency crews moving from scene to scene late Saturday into early Sunday.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to multiple locations across the city over a span of several hours. Each call involved reports of gunfire, and in several cases, victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds when officers arrived.

On the near north side, police discovered a victim who had been shot. Medics attempted life saving measures at the scene, but the individual was pronounced dead. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity as they work to notify family members.

A second deadly shooting unfolded on the west side of the city. In that case, officers again arrived to find a victim in critical condition. The individual was transported for medical care but later died from their injuries. Investigators have not disclosed what led up to the shooting.

Beyond the two fatalities, several other people were wounded in separate incidents across Indianapolis during the same time period. Some victims were taken to area hospitals in stable condition, while others suffered more serious injuries. Police have not confirmed an exact total of those hurt, but officials described the number of incidents as significant for a single night.

Detectives believe the shootings occurred in different areas and under separate circumstances. At this stage, there is no clear indication that the incidents are connected, though investigators are continuing to examine any possible links. Crime scene technicians worked through the night collecting evidence, while detectives began interviewing witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage.

No arrests have been announced in connection with the shootings. Police are asking anyone with information to contact authorities, stressing that tips from the public can play a critical role in identifying those responsible.

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The wave of violence comes as Indianapolis continues to confront ongoing concerns about gun violence, particularly during weekend hours when multiple incidents often occur within a short period of time. City leaders and community leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need for conflict resolution, responsible gun ownership, and stronger community engagement to help reduce these incidents.

As the investigations continue, families are left mourning loved ones while police work to determine what sparked the deadly encounters and who may be responsible.



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A Fan’s Guide to the Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 Offseason Calendar

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A Fan’s Guide to the Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 Offseason Calendar


The Indianapolis Colts began Phase 1 of their offseason schedule with voluntary work on April 21st, right in the thick of draft week. This period focuses on meetings, strength training, and rehabilitation before the team ramps up its workload for the rest of the summer.

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Veterans quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. and cornerback Kenny Moore II have been away from the team as they remain on the trade block.

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While work thus far has not been open to the media, there will be plenty of opportunity moving forward to get a closer look at the younger, faster Colts.

Here’s a look at the key dates Colts faithful will want to circle on their calendars, along with the media’s scheduled access dates (subject to change at the team’s discretion).

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Rookie Minicamp: May 8-9

The 2026 Colts’ draftees get their on-field debut in their team-issued apparel as they take the field alongside undrafted free agents and prospects invited to participate for a try-out.

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Most notably, it’ll be interesting to see where the Colts’ first two draft selections — defenders CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy — are being used in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme.

This two-day glorified oreientation of sorts will feature far less team-based activities than it will individual drills and general acclimation to the pros, but it’s still a worthy introduction nonetheless.

This padless, non-contact minicamp is meant to familiarize the amatuers more than it’s meant to baptize them by fire, and head coach Shane Steichen will be sure to deliver that message.

OTA Offseason Workouts: May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4

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Colts Trent Pennix(36), Evan Hull (26) and Adonai Mitchell (10) team up for the next drils during Indianapolis Colts minicamp practice Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. | Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

This is the third and final phase of the offseason program, the first portion of the offseason where the offense and defense can come together for some 11-on-11 work.

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With quarterback Daniel Jones, wide receiver Alec Pierce, and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner all set to be sidelined until at least training camp as they rehab their respective injuries, their presence will be greatly missed as far as teambuilding goes. On the flip side, at least those Colts below them on the depth chart will get some valuable run in their time away.

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The on-field work will still be a non-contact simulation, though this is the first time when the veterans and the rookies will come together for practice. These workouts are still voluntary for the vets; it won’t truly be a first full look at the projected 2026 roster together, but that comes not too long after OTAs conclude.

Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11

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Offensive tackles, guards, centers and others run drills during Indianapolis Colts minicamp practice Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. | Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

This will be the biggest offseason event yet, as it will be the closest we get to a real Colts practice. Unlike OTAs, which are voluntary, this minicamp requires that all members of the team be in attendance.

These sessions are more or less like the beginning of the training camp cycle, a period that features a similar practice regimen while still being padless and non-contact.

This will give us a closer look at how rookies are adjusting to the next level after being a month in, as well as provide a sneak peek as to which on-field chemistries are brewing.

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