Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball franchise based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Eastern Conference’s Central Division. Founded in 1967 as one of the original franchises in the American Basketball Association (ABA), the Pacers were among the most successful ABA teams, winning three league championships (1970, 1972, 1973) before joining the NBA in the 1976 ABA-NBA merger.

The Pacers are named after Indiana’s rich history with harness racing pacers and the Indianapolis 500’s pace cars, reflecting the state’s motorsports heritage. The franchise has featured Hall of Fame players, including Reggie Miller, George McGinnis, Mel Daniels, and Roger Brown, while establishing itself as one of the NBA’s most consistent playoff contenders despite never winning an NBA championship.

ABA Origins and Dynasty Era (1967–1976)

The Indiana Pacers were founded in 1967 as one of the American Basketball Association’s charter franchises. A group of Indianapolis investors, including Richard Tinkham, Chuck Barnes, and John DeVoe, purchased the franchise, naming it the “Pacers” in reference to both Indiana’s harness racing tradition and the Indianapolis 500 pace car.

The team initially played at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum, a 9,479-seat venue. In their second season, former Indiana University star Bob “Slick” Leonard became head coach, transforming the Pacers into the ABA’s dominant franchise.

Under Leonard’s leadership, the Pacers featured stars including Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, Freddie Lewis, Bob Netolicky, and, later, George McGinnis. The team won its first ABA championship in 1970, defeating the Los Angeles Stars 4-2 in the Finals. Roger Brown dominated the series, averaging 32 points per game with performances of 39, 45, and 53 points in individual games.

The Pacers won additional championships in 1972 (defeating the New York Nets) and 1973 (defeating the Kentucky Colonels in seven games). They appeared in five ABA Finals during the league’s nine-year history, more than any other franchise. The 1970, 1972, and 1973 championship teams established Indiana’s basketball legacy and remain the franchise’s only professional championships.

In 1974, the Pacers moved to Market Square Arena, a 16,530-seat downtown Indianapolis venue that served as home through 1999.

Transition to the NBA (1976–1987)

In 1976, the ABA merged with the NBA, and the Pacers were one of four franchises absorbed into the established league (alongside Denver, San Antonio, and the New York/New Jersey Nets). However, the merger came with significant financial penalties. The Pacers paid a $3.2 million entry fee and compensated the two remaining ABA franchises not included in the merger.

The financial burden limited roster construction. The Pacers struggled competitively in their early NBA years, posting just one winning season in their first 13 NBA campaigns. The franchise cycled through coaches and rosters without achieving sustained success, finishing near the bottom of the standings repeatedly.

The Reggie Miller Era (1987–2005)

The 1987 NBA Draft fundamentally altered the franchise’s trajectory. The Pacers selected shooting guard Reggie Miller from UCLA with the 11th overall pick. Miller developed into one of the NBA’s greatest shooters and most clutch performers, playing all 18 seasons of his career in Indiana.

In 1988, the Pacers drafted Rik Smits, a 7’4″ center from Marist College, who became Miller’s frontcourt complement. By 1989-90, Indiana began a streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances, establishing competitive consistency.

Under head coach Larry Bird (1997-2000), the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 1994, 1995, and 1998, losing each time in seven games. The 1999-2000 season delivered the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance. Indiana defeated the New York Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Miller hitting clutch shots and famously imitating his iconic 1994 “choke” gesture.

In the 2000 Finals, the Pacers faced the Los Angeles Lakers featuring Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Despite competitive efforts, Indiana lost 4-2, falling short of their first NBA championship. The series marked the closest the franchise has come to an NBA title.

Miller retired in 2005 as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 25,279 points. His number 31 was retired, and he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. Miller’s career three-point percentage (.395) and clutch performances—including his famous 8 points in 9 seconds against New York in 1995—established him as one of basketball’s legendary figures.

The Malice at the Palace and Reconstruction (2004–2010)

The 2004-05 Pacers appeared poised for championship contention under coach Rick Carlisle, featuring Jermaine O’Neal, Miller, Ron Artest, and Stephen Jackson. However, on November 19, 2004, the franchise experienced its most infamous moment: “The Malice at the Palace.”

During a game in Detroit, a brawl erupted between players and fans after Artest was hit by a thrown beverage. The incident resulted in massive suspensions, criminal charges, and irreparable damage to the team’s championship window. Artest received an 86-game suspension (the longest in NBA history for an on-court incident), O’Neal was suspended 25 games, and Jackson was out for 30 games.

The Pacers finished 44-38 and were eliminated in the second round. The roster never recovered its championship potential, and key players departed in subsequent seasons.

Rebuilding and the Paul George Era (2010–2017)

In 2010, the Pacers drafted Paul George from Fresno State with the 10th overall pick. George developed into a two-way star, earning All-NBA and All-Defensive honors. Paired with center Roy Hibbert and forward David West, Indiana returned to championship contention.

The 2012-13 and 2013-14 Pacers reached consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, both times losing to the Miami Heat. The 2013-14 team finished 56-26, the franchise’s best NBA regular season record, and led Miami 2-1 in the conference finals before collapsing.

On August 1, 2014, George suffered a catastrophic leg injury during a Team USA scrimmage, fracturing his tibia and fibula. The injury derailed Indiana’s championship window and forced another rebuilding period.

George returned in 2015-16 but requested a trade in 2017, ending the era. The Pacers traded him to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.

The Victor Oladipo Era and Recent Contention (2017–2021)

Oladipo blossomed in Indiana, winning Most Improved Player in 2018 and leading the Pacers to playoff appearances. However, injuries limited his impact, and he was traded to Houston in 2021.

The franchise was built around Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon, making the playoffs consistently but never advancing past the first round. In 2021, the Pacers hired Rick Carlisle for his second stint as head coach, paying him approximately $29 million over four years.

The Tyrese Haliburton Era and 2025 Finals Run (2022–Present)

On February 8, 2022, the Pacers traded Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, and a second-round pick to Sacramento for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson. The trade proved franchise-altering.

Haliburton, a 6’5″ point guard, developed into a two-time All-Star and one of the NBA’s premier playmakers. In 2023, the Pacers acquired Pascal Siakam from Toronto, pairing him with Haliburton to form a contending core.

The 2024-25 Pacers finished 50-32 and entered the playoffs as the sixth seed. In a stunning run, Indiana defeated Milwaukee (4-1), Cleveland (4-1), and New York (4-2) to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Haliburton hit a game-tying two-pointer in Game 1 of the conference finals, then imitated Reggie Miller’s iconic choke gesture, a moment that electrified Indiana basketball fans.

In the Finals, the Pacers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 1 featured a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback after Carlisle’s timeout, overcoming a 15-point deficit, which is tied for the largest fourth-quarter comeback in Finals history since Carlisle’s Dallas Mavericks achieved the same against Miami in 2011.

The series went to Game 7, forcing the first Finals seventh game since 2016. However, disaster struck when Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon during Game 7, and the Pacers eventually lost the championship. The injury proved devastating both immediately and long-term.

The 2025-26 Season: Collapse and Uncertainty

Haliburton’s Achilles injury required a season-long recovery, sidelining him for the entire 2025-26 campaign. Without their franchise star, the Pacers collapsed.

In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Pacers selected Asa Newell (23rd overall) and Taelon Peter (54th overall). The franchise entered the draft holding only one second-round pick after trading future selections.

On January 8, 2026, Carlisle recorded his 1,000th career victory, becoming the 11th coach in NBA history to reach the milestone. Despite this achievement, his 13-39 record this season reflects the franchise’s systemic challenges. On August 19, 2025, Carlisle signed a multi-year contract extension despite uncertainty about Haliburton’s recovery timeline.

On February 5, 2026, the Pacers traded Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for center Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. The trade addressed the team’s center needs after losing Myles Turner to Milwaukee in free agency.

Ownership and Front Office

Herb Simon and his late brother Mel Simon purchased the Pacers in 1983. Herb Simon, now 90 years old, continues as majority owner and team governor. The Simon family also owns Simon Property Group, one of the world’s largest shopping mall operators.

Kevin Pritchard has served as President of Basketball Operations since 2012 (initially as general manager, promoted to president in 2019). Pritchard oversaw the Haliburton acquisition and the roster construction that reached the 2025 Finals.

Arena and Facilities

The Pacers play home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (formerly Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Conseco Fieldhouse), which opened in 1999, replacing Market Square Arena. The 17,923-seat downtown Indianapolis venue underwent a $360 million renovation completed in 2020.

The franchise’s G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, provides developmental opportunities.

Championships and Historical Record

The Pacers have won three championships, all in the ABA (1970, 1972, 1973). They have reached the NBA Finals twice (2000, 2025), losing both times. The franchise has made 38 playoff appearances (9 ABA, 29 NBA) and reached the Eastern Conference Finals 10 times in the NBA.

The all-time record stands at 2,420 wins and 2,326 losses (.510 winning percentage) across 59 seasons (9 ABA, 50 NBA).