1995 Eastern Conference Finals Appearance

Lore & Background

The 1995 Eastern Conference Finals saw the Pacers return to the big stage after their breakthrough the previous year. Having reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 1994—losing to the New York Knicks in seven games—Indiana first bulldozed the Atlanta Hawks and then defeated the Knicks again in a brutal seven-game rematch of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. Waiting for them were the Orlando Magic, a cocky young squad fronted by Shaquille O'Neal's earth-shaking dunks and Penny Hardaway's silky drives. What followed was a back-alley brawl: four games decided by single digits, Reggie Miller's dagger three in Game 4 with 1.3 seconds left, and a Game 7 in Orlando where the Pacers' shots rattled out as the Magic's size—O'Neal and Horace Grant's rebounding—finally wore them down. The series ended in a 105-81 loss, but the echo of that fight lingered.

Reader's Guide

The 1995 Eastern Conference Finals was a landmark achievement for the Indiana Pacers, representing their first conference finals appearance since the ABA merger. The series took place in May 1995, with the Pacers entering as the No. 2 seed in the East. Despite falling to the Orlando Magic in seven games, the run validated the franchise's rebuild under Larry Brown and established Reggie Miller as a postseason icon. The Pacers' resilience—winning Game 6 on the road to force a Game 7—demonstrated their grit. This appearance laid the groundwork for future success, including a Finals berth in 2000. The series is remembered for its intensity, with four games decided by single digits, and for showcasing the Pacers' ability to compete with the league's elite.

Did You Know?

• Reggie Miller scored 29 points in Game 7, but the Pacers lost 105-81.
• Larry Brown did not win NBA Coach of the Year in 1995; the award went to Del Harris of the Los Angeles Lakers.