The Indiana Pacers were founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).1)
The name “Pacers” refers to both the pace car used in the Indianapolis 500 and the harness racing pacers.2)
The Pacers won three ABA championships — in 1970, 1972, and 1973.3)
They were the most successful ABA franchise, with more titles than any other team in the league.4)
The Pacers joined the NBA in 1976 during the ABA-NBA merger.5)
After joining the NBA, the Pacers initially struggled, missing the playoffs for their first four seasons.6)
The Pacers currently play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (formerly Bankers Life Fieldhouse), known for its retro look and excellent sightlines.7)
Basketball legend Larry Bird coached the Pacers from 1997–2000 and later served as team president.8)
Reggie Miller is the most iconic Pacer, playing his entire 18-year NBA career in Indiana (1987–2005).9)
In the 1995 playoffs vs. the Knicks, Reggie Miller famously scored 8 points in 9 seconds, leading the Pacers to an incredible comeback.10)
The Pacers made their only NBA Finals appearance in 2000, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.11)
Reggie Miller was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.12)
Their Flo-Jo era uniforms, designed by Florence Griffith-Joyner, are fan favorites and have been brought back as throwbacks.13)
A notorious 2004 brawl with the Detroit Pistons led to massive suspensions, including a season-long ban for Ron Artest.14)
Reggie Miller holds the record for most games played for the Pacers, with 1,389 games.15)