The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Pacers were founded in 1967, originally as members of the American Basketball Association, where they were crowned League Champions three times and made the playoffs in all of the nine seasons they participated in the league. They had five appearances in the ABA Finals during those nine years. [1] The Pacers were led during the ABA days by two-time MVP Mel Daniels and by head coach Bobby Leonard.
The 1976–77 season marked the first season of NBA play for the Pacers and the team struggled early, compared to their ABA success. The Pacers only made it to the NBA playoffs three times in their first 13 seasons. [1] The Pacers would not win their first playoff series until the 1993–94 season, which came against the Orlando Magic. It was during this time that the Pacers were led by 1987 draft pick, Reggie Miller, who entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. [2] Miller would play for the Pacers until the 2005 season and with his help, the Pacers would go on to win one Eastern Conference championship, four Central Division championships, and make 15 playoff appearances. [3]
Over the Pacers' 53 seasons of play they have made the playoffs 36 times (27 in the NBA and 9 in the ABA). The Pacers have appeared in the NBA Eastern Conference finals eight times (1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2013, 2014) [4] They played in the 2000 NBA Finals as Eastern Conference Champions, against Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pacers are one of 10 franchises to have never won an NBA championship and the only Central Division team without at least one championship title.
ASG MVP | All-Star Game Most Valuable Player |
COY | Coach of the Year |
Finish | Final position in league or division standings |
GB | Games behind first-place team in division [lower-alpha 1] |
Losses | Number of regular season losses |
EOY | Executive of the Year |
JWKC | J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship |
MVP | Most Valuable Player |
ROY | Rookie of the Year |
SMOY | Sixth Man of the Year |
Wins | Number of regular season wins |
Win% | Winning percentage |
ABA champions | NBA champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Playoff berth | Play-in berth |
Season | League | Conference | Finish [lower-alpha 2] | Division | Finish [lower-alpha 2] | W [lower-alpha 3] | L [lower-alpha 3] | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head Coach |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1967–68 | ABA | — | — | Eastern | 3rd | 38 | 40 | .487 | 16 | Lost Division semifinals (Pipers) 3–0 [5] | Larry Staverman | |
1968–69 | ABA | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 44 | 34 | .564 | — | Won Division semifinals (Colonels) 4–3 Won Division finals (Floridians) 4–1 Lost ABA Finals (Oaks) 4–1 [6] | Mel Daniels (MVP) [7] | Larry Staverman Bobby Leonard |
1969–70 | ABA | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 59 | 25 | .702 | — | Won Division semifinals (Cougars) 4–0 Won Division finals (Colonels) 4–1 Won ABA Finals (Stars) 4–2 [8] | Roger Brown (PMVP) [9] | Bobby Leonard |
1970–71 | ABA | — | — | Western | 1st | 58 | 26 | .690 | — | Won Division semifinals (Pros) 4–0 Lost Division finals (Stars) 4–3 [10] | Mel Daniels (MVP, ASG MVP) [7] [11] | |
1971–72 | ABA | — | — | Western | 2nd | 47 | 37 | .560 | 13 | Won Division semifinals (Rockets) 4–3 Won Division finals (Stars) 4–3 Won ABA Finals (Nets) 4–2 [12] | Freddie Lewis (PMVP) [13] | |
1972–73 | ABA | — | — | Western | 2nd | 51 | 33 | .607 | 4 | Won Division semifinals (Rockets) 4–1 Won Division finals (Stars) 4–2 Won ABA Finals (Colonels) 4–3 [14] | George McGinnis (PMVP) [15] | |
1973–74 | ABA | — | — | Western | 2nd | 46 | 38 | .548 | 5 | Won Division semifinals (Spurs) 4–3 Lost Division finals (Stars) 4–3 [16] | ||
1974–75 | ABA | — | — | Western | 3rd | 45 | 39 | .536 | 20 | Won Division semifinals (Spurs) 4–2 Won Division finals (Nuggets) 4–3 Lost ABA Finals (Colonels) 4–1 [17] | George McGinnis (MVP) [7] | |
1975–76 | ABA | — | — | — [lower-alpha 4] | 5th | 39 | 45 | .464 | 21 | Lost First round (Colonels) 2–1 [18] | ||
1976–77 [lower-alpha 5] | NBA | Western | 9th | Midwest | 5th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 14 | — | ||
1977–78 | NBA | Western | 10th | Midwest | 5th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 17 | — | ||
1978–79 | NBA | Western | 8th | Midwest | 3rd | 38 | 44 | .463 | 10 | — | ||
1979–80 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 37 | 45 | .451 | 13 | — | ||
1980–81 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 16 | Lost First round (76ers) 2–0 [19] | Jack McKinney (COY) [20] | Jack McKinney |
1981–82 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 20 | — | ||
1982–83 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 20 | 62 | .244 | 31 | — | ||
1983–84 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 26 | 56 | .317 | 24 | — | ||
1984–85 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 22 | 60 | .268 | 37 | — | George Irvine | |
1985–86 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 6th | 26 | 56 | .317 | 31 | — | ||
1986–87 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 4th | 41 | 41 | .500 | 16 | Lost First round (Hawks) 3–1 [21] | Chuck Person (ROY) [22] | Jack Ramsay |
1987–88 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 6th | 38 | 44 | .463 | 16 | — | ||
1988–89 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 6th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 35 | — | Jack Ramsay Mel Daniels George Irvine Dick Versace | |
1989–90 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 17 | Lost First round (Pistons) 3–0 [23] | Dick Versace | |
1990–91 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 5th | 41 | 41 | .500 | 20 | Lost First round (Celtics) 3–2 [24] | Detlef Schrempf (SIX) [25] | Dick Versace Bob Hill |
1991–92 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 4th | 40 | 42 | .488 | 27 | Lost First round (Celtics) 3–0 [26] | Detlef Schrempf (SIX) [25] | Bob Hill |
1992–93 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 5th | 41 | 41 | .500 | 16 | Lost First round (Knicks) 3–1 [27] | ||
1993–94 | NBA | Eastern | 5th | Central | 3rd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 | Won First round (Magic) 3–0 Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Knicks) 4–3 [28] | Larry Brown | |
1994–95 | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 52 | 30 | .634 | — | Won First round (Hawks) 3–0 Won conference semifinals (Knicks) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Magic) 4–3 [29] | ||
1995–96 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 52 | 30 | .634 | 20 | Lost First round (Hawks) 3–2 [30] | ||
1996–97 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 6th | 39 | 43 | .476 | 30 | — | ||
1997–98 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 58 | 24 | .707 | 4 | Won First round (Cavaliers) 3–1 Won conference semifinals (Knicks) 4–1 Lost conference finals (Bulls) 4–3 [31] | Larry Bird (COY) [20] | Larry Bird |
1998–99 [lower-alpha 6] | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 33 | 17 | .660 | — | Won First round (Bucks) 3–0 Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–0 Lost conference finals (Knicks) 4–2 [32] | ||
1999–00 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | — | Won First round (Bucks) 3–2 Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–2 Won conference finals (Knicks) 4–2 Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2 [33] | Jalen Rose (MIP) [34] | |
2000–01 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 41 | 41 | .500 | 11 | Lost First round (76ers) 3–1 [35] | Isiah Thomas | |
2001–02 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 8 | Lost First round (Nets) 3–2 [36] | Jermaine O'Neal (MIP) [37] | |
2002–03 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 2 | Lost First round (Celtics) 4–2 [38] | ||
2003–04 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 61 | 21 | .744 | — | Won First round (Celtics) 4–0 Won conference semifinals (Heat) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Pistons) 4–2 [39] | Ron Artest (DPOY) [40] Reggie Miller (JWKC) [41] | Rick Carlisle |
2004–05 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 10 | Won First round (Celtics) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–2 [42] | ||
2005–06 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 3rd | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 | Lost First round (Nets) 4–2 [43] | ||
2006–07 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 4th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 18 | — | ||
2007–08 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 3rd | 36 | 46 | .439 | 23 | — | Jim O'Brien | |
2008–09 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 4th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 30 | — | Danny Granger (MIP) [44] | |
2009–10 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 4th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 29 | — | ||
2010–11 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 2nd | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 | Lost First round (Bulls) 4–1 [45] | Jim O'Brien Frank Vogel | |
2011–12 [lower-alpha 7] | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 42 | 24 | .636 | 8 | Won First round (Magic) 4–1 Lost conference semifinals (Heat) 4–2 [46] | Larry Bird (EOY) [47] | Frank Vogel |
2012–13 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 1st | 49 | 32 | .605 | — | Won First round (Hawks) 4–2 Won conference semifinals (Knicks) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–3 [48] | Paul George (MIP) [49] | |
2013–14 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | — | Won First round (Hawks) 4–3 Won conference semifinals (Wizards) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–2 [50] | ||
2014–15 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 4th | 38 | 44 | .463 | 15 | — | ||
2015–16 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 2nd | 45 | 37 | .549 | 12 | Lost First round (Raptors) 4–3 [51] | ||
2016–17 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 3rd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 9 | Lost First round (Cavaliers) 4–0 [52] | Nate McMillan | |
2017–18 | NBA | Eastern | 5th | Central | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 2 | Lost First round (Cavaliers) 4–3 [53] | Victor Oladipo (MIP) [54] | |
2018–19 | NBA | Eastern | 5th | Central | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 12 | Lost First round (Celtics) 4–0 [55] | ||
2019–20 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 45 | 28 | .616 | 11 | Lost First round (Heat) 4–0 [56] | Malcolm Brogdon (JWKC) [57] | |
2020–21 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 2nd | 34 | 38 | .472 | 12 | — | Nate Bjorkgren | |
2021–22 | NBA | Eastern | 13th | Central | 4th | 25 | 57 | .305 | 28.5 | — | Rick Carlisle | |
2022–23 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 4th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 23 | — | ||
2023–24 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 3rd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 2 | First round (Bucks) |
Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win% |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana Pacers ABA regular season record (1967–1976) | 427 | 317 | .574 |
Indiana Pacers NBA regular season record (1976–present) | 1,930 | 1,938 | .499 |
Indiana Pacers regular season record | 2,357 | 2,255 | .511 |
Indiana Pacers ABA post-season record (1967–1976) | 69 | 50 | .580 |
Indiana Pacers NBA post-season record (1976–present) | 115 | 126 | .477 |
Indiana Pacers post-season record | 184 | 176 | .507 |
All-time regular and post-season record | 2,541 | 2,431 | .511 |
Larry Joe Bird is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference.
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