Paul George Era (2010–2017)

The most successful team in ABA history, now a proud NBA franchise.

The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded in 1967 as an original member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and became a member of the NBA in 1976 as a result of the ABA–NBA merger. They play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Quick Facts

Role: Franchise cornerstone and primary scorer
Affiliation: Indiana Pacers (2010–2017)
First appears: 2010 NBA Draft (10th overall pick)
Status: Departed via trade in 2017
Key achievement: Led Pacers to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals (2013, 2014)
Notable honor: Three-time NBA All-Star (2013, 2014, 2016)

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 appeared in the NBA Finals in 2000 and 2025. The team has 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. Former Pacers inducted into international Halls of Fame include Miller and Detlef Schrempf in the FIBA Hall of Fame.

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. During their first 13 years in the NBA, they had only two non-losing seasons and only two playoff appearances. The Pacers drafted Reggie Miller in 1987. From 1989 to 1993, the Pacers would play at or near .500 and qualify for the playoffs. Larry Brown was brought aboard as Pacers' coach for the 1993–94 season, and the Pacers won their last eight games of the season to finish with an NBA-era franchise-high 47 wins.