1973 ABA Finals Game 6 vs. Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels and Indiana Pacers were the only ABA teams to play the entire league duration without moving, changing names, or folding.
The Kentucky Colonels and the Indiana Pacers were the only ABA teams to play for the entire duration of the league without moving, changing team names, or folding. The two teams played in the same Eastern Division for the first three seasons before Indiana was reassigned to the Western. It was referred to in some circles as the "I-65 Series", referring to the Interstate that connected the two states; the two met five times in the playoffs, with each being the most common opponent played in the postseason.
Quick Facts
- Competition
- 1973 ABA Finals
- Game
- Game 6
- Result
- Indiana Pacers 88, Kentucky Colonels 81
- Series outcome
- Pacers win series 4-2
- Venue
- Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, Louisville
- Pacers coach
- Bob Leonard
- Colonels coach
- Joe Mullaney
Lore & Background
In the 1972–73 playoffs, the Colonels faced the Indiana Pacers in the third rendition of the "I-65 Series". In a physical series that went the maximum seven games, the Pacers defeated the Colonels in Kentucky to win the championship.
Reader's Guide
The 1973 ABA Finals Game 6 was not played on May 12, 1973; the actual date of Game 6 of the 1973 ABA Finals was May 10, 1973. The Pacers' victory in Game 6 was not their first championship won on the road; they had previously won the 1970 ABA Finals on the road (Game 6 at Los Angeles Stars).
Did You Know?
- The Colonels won 448 games in the ABA, more than any other team or franchise.
- Only the Indiana Pacers won more ABA playoff games (69) than the Colonels (55).
- The Colonels beat the Indiana Pacers in a dominant 4 games to 1 victory to win the 1975 ABA championship.
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