Billy Knight

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In college, Knight was a consensus second-team All-American in 1974. He began his pro career with the Indiana Pacers, earning ABA All-Rookie First Team honors in 1975. He continued with the Pacers in the NBA, and he also played in the league for the Buffalo Braves, Boston Celtics, Kansas City Kings and San Antonio Spurs. Knight finished his playing career with a season in France. He became an executive with the Pacers and the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies. He last served as the executive vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Hawks from 2003 to 2008.

In Their Own Story

The arena hums with anticipation on a cold January night in Indianapolis. Knight dribbles near half-court, the red and gold uniform stark against the hardwood. He calls for the ball, eyes locked on the rim. The crowd roars as he rises, releasing a jumper that swishes through the net. It is another high-scoring display from the man who made Market Square Arena his own—a blur of motion, a flick of the wrist, and the net barely moves as the ball falls through.

Reader's Guide

Knight spent 11 seasons, from 1974 to 1985, in the ABA and NBA as a member of the Indiana Pacers, Buffalo Braves, Boston Celtics, Kansas City Kings, and San Antonio Spurs. He scored 13,901 points in his ABA/NBA career and appeared in two All-Star games as well as one ABA all-star game. Knight's best years were with the Indiana Pacers, after being selected by both the Pacers and the LA Lakers in the player draft. Knight was voted 1st team ABA All-Star for the 1975–1976 season, his second year in the league after averaging 28.1 ppg. This was the last year of the ABA before the Indiana Pacers merged into the NBA. The following year Knight maintained All-Star status, this time in the NBA after averaging 26.6 ppg — second best in the league that season. Following a brief but successful tenure with the Buffalo Braves in the 1978 season, Knight's play slowly began to decline. A primary reason for Knight's initial success in the NBA was the poor state of the Braves franchise upon his arrival. Having recently lost their MVP talent Bob McAdoo, the directionless Braves won only 27 games in Knight's lone season with the franchise. Knight's averages of 23 points and 7 rebounds would nevertheless be enough for the forward to make his third and final career all-star team. Knight departed from Buffalo via a trade that sent Knight, fellow all star Tiny Archibald, Marvin Barnes, and a 1981 2nd-round draft pick that would become Danny Ainge to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Sidney Wicks, Kermit Washington, Freeman Williams, and Kevin Kunnert. In Boston, Knight's scoring numbers dropped from 22.9 to 13.9. After less than one year in Boston, Knight was traded back to the Pacers for rookie Rick Robey. On November 11, 1980, Knight scored 52 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and recorded 5 steals during a 119–113 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The 52 point total was a career-high for Knight, and resulted in him winning NBA Player of the Week. Knight remained a reliable player throughout the remainder of his career, averaging between 12 and 18 points for the next five consecutive seasons. He ended his career as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, where he played alongside future Hall of Famers George Gervin and Artis Gilmore for 52 games. Knight is the Indiana Pacers 3rd all-time leading scorer and is in several other Top 5 all-time categories for the Pacers. His 1976 statline of 28.1

Did You Know?

• Knight was a consensus second-team All-American in 1974.
• He scored a career-high 52 points on November 11, 1980, against the San Antonio Spurs.
• Knight is one of only four players (with Oscar Robertson, Julius Erving, and Larry Bird) to average 28 points and 10 rebounds in a season while not playing center or power forward.
• His 28.1 points per game in 1976 is the second-highest single-season scoring average in Pacers history, trailing only George McGinnis's 29.8 points per game in 1975.