Indiana Pacers

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Lore & Background

The Pacers have won three championships, in 1970, 1972, and 1973, all in the ABA. They also reached the ABA Finals in 1969 and 1975, and have also appeared in the NBA Finals in 2000 and 2025. The team has also won nine division titles. Six Hall of Fame players – Reggie Miller, Chris Mullin, Alex English, Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, and George McGinnis – played with the Pacers for multiple seasons. The franchise has multiple Hall of Fame coaches in Bobby "Slick" Leonard, Jack Ramsay, and Larry Brown. Furthermore, former Pacers inducted into international Halls of Fame include Miller and Detlef Schrempf in the FIBA Hall of Fame.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Bird's Pacers era is defined by a rapid ascent from coaching debut to Finals contention. Arriving in 1997, he transformed the team quickly, securing the Coach of the Year award in his very first season (1997–98). This success propelled the Pacers into the 2000 NBA Finals, cementing Bird's reputation as a winner beyond his playing career. Following his coaching retirement, Bird shifted his focus to management in 2003. He steered the organization for nearly a decade until stepping down in 2012, a year that coincided with him receiving the Executive of the Year award. His commitment to Indiana did not end there; he returned as president in 2013, stayed through 2017, served as an advisor until July 2022, and eventually came back as a consultant after a nearly year-long break.

Reader's Guide

The Pacers were one of four ABA teams that joined the NBA in the ABA–NBA merger in the 1976–77 season, along with the Denver Nuggets, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs. The league charged a $3.2 million entry fee for each former ABA team. The Pacers finished their inaugural NBA season with a record of 36–46. Billy Knight and Don Buse represented Indiana in the NBA All-Star Game. The Pacers had only two non-losing seasons and only two playoff appearances in their first 13 years in the NBA. In 1986–87, Jack Ramsay led the Pacers to a 41–41 record and their second playoff appearance as an NBA team. Chuck Person won NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Reggie Miller was drafted by the Pacers in 1987. From 1989 to 1993, the Pacers would play at or near .500 and qualify for the playoffs. In 1993–94, Larry Brown was brought aboard as Pacers' coach, and the Pacers won an NBA-era franchise-high 47 wins. They swept the Orlando Magic in the first round and defeated the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the conference semifinals.

Did You Know?

• The Pacers were the most successful team in ABA history, winning three ABA Championships in four years.
• The team's name comes from Indiana's history with the Indianapolis 500's pace cars and harness racing.
• Reggie Miller became the first Pacer to play in the NBA All-Star Game since 1976.
• The Pacers played their first seven years at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum.