2000 NBA Finals Game 4 vs Indiana Pacers
Lakers defeat Pacers in six games for first title since 1988.
The 2000 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1999–2000 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The series was played under a best-of-seven format, with the Lakers holding home court advantage. The series featured the number one seeds from both conferences. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers in six games to win their first NBA championship since 1988 and their twelfth overall.
- Date
- June 10, 2000
- Location
- Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
- Key Performer
- Shaquille O'Neal (40 points, 24 rebounds)
- Series Status
- Lakers lead 3-1 heading into Game 5
- Result
- Won crucial game to take series lead; Lakers won the championship in Game 6 with a final series score of 4-2
Lore & Background
This marked Indiana's first NBA Finals appearance. The Pacers would not return to the NBA Finals until 2025. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the series, his first of three consecutive honors, in arguably one of the greatest NBA Finals performances in history, putting up 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Staples Center hung heavy with the scent of sweat and impending doom as regulation clock ticked away. Shaq stood at the line, his massive frame heaving, eyes locked on the rim while the crowd's roar seemed to vibrate through the floorboards. As the final buzzer sounded, the realization washed over Staples: the dynasty was still alive.
Reader's Guide
The Finals were played using a 2–3–2 site format, where the team with home court advantage would receive the first two games and the last two games at home. The NBA, after experimenting in the early years, restored this original format for the Finals in 1985. So far, the other playoff series are still running on a 2–2–1–1–1 site format. The Finals returned to a 2–2–1–1–1 format in 2014. Additionally, both teams in the Finals featured newly built arenas, as the Lakers' Staples Center and the Pacers' Gainbridge Fieldhouse opened at the beginning of the 1999–2000 NBA season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the Lakers in scoring during this overtime victory?
Shaquille O'Neal was the standout performer with 40 points and 24 rebounds. His forty-point marathon forced overtime and kept the first title alive for Los Angeles.
How did this game affect the series standing between the teams?
This victory gave the Lakers a commanding 3-1 lead heading into Game 5. It shifted momentum significantly toward the eventual champions before they closed out in Game 6.
Where was this pivotal matchup played?
The contest took place at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was an away game for the Lakers against the gritty Pacers defense.
Did the Lakers win the championship immediately after this specific game?
While this win secured a series lead, the championship was finalized two games later. The Lakers won the title in Game 6 with a final series score of 4-2.
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