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Table of Contents
Indiana Pacers
Birth of the Franchise
The Indiana Pacers were founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).1)
Name Origin
The name “Pacers” refers to both the pace car used in the Indianapolis 500 and the harness racing pacers.2)
ABA Champions
The Pacers won three ABA championships — in 1970, 1972, and 1973.3)
ABA Powerhouse
They were the most successful ABA franchise, with more titles than any other team in the league.4)
NBA Merger
The Pacers joined the NBA in 1976 during the ABA-NBA merger.5)
Early NBA Struggles
After joining the NBA, the Pacers initially struggled, missing the playoffs for their first four seasons.6)
Home Arena
The Pacers currently play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (formerly Bankers Life Fieldhouse), known for its retro look and excellent sightlines.7)
Larry Bird's Tenure
Basketball legend Larry Bird coached the Pacers from 1997–2000 and later served as team president.8)
Reggie Miller Era
Reggie Miller is the most iconic Pacer, playing his entire 18-year NBA career in Indiana (1987–2005).9)
Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds
In the 1995 playoffs vs. the Knicks, Reggie Miller famously scored 8 points in 9 seconds, leading the Pacers to an incredible comeback.10)
1999–2000 Finals Appearance
The Pacers made their only NBA Finals appearance in 2000, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.11)
Hall of Famer: Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.12)
Fan-Favorite Uniforms
Their Flo-Jo era uniforms, designed by Florence Griffith-Joyner, are fan favorites and have been brought back as throwbacks.13)
The Malice at the Palace
A notorious 2004 brawl with the Detroit Pistons led to massive suspensions, including a season-long ban for Ron Artest.14)
Longest Tenured Player
Reggie Miller holds the record for most games played for the Pacers, with 1,389 games.15)
Paul George's Rise
Paul George became the face of the franchise in the early 2010s, leading deep playoff runs.16)
Greatest Rivalry
The Pacers have a fierce historic rivalry with the New York Knicks, especially during the 1990s.17)
State of Basketball
Indiana is often called the “Basketball Capital of the World,” and the Pacers are its professional torchbearers.18)
Ownership
Herb Simon has been the team’s owner since 1983, making him one of the longest-tenured owners in professional sports.19)
First NBA All-Star
Billy Knight was the Pacers’ first NBA All-Star in 1977.20)
Multiple Hall of Famers
Aside from Reggie Miller, legends like Mel Daniels and Roger Brown (ABA era) are also in the Hall of Fame.21)
Three-Time Coach of the Year
Frank Vogel led the Pacers to multiple Eastern Conference Finals and earned Coach of the Month honors several times.22)
Pacemates
The Pacers’ dance team, known as the Pacemates, is one of the oldest in the NBA.23)
Hoosiers Inspiration
The Pacers were partially inspired by the culture of “Hoosiers” — small-town basketball passion in Indiana.24)
ABA Icons
George McGinnis and Mel Daniels were dominant forces in the ABA, winning MVP awards with the Pacers.25)
Historic Logo Evolution
The Pacers have had four major logo redesigns since their inception.26)
Alumni Coaches
Several former Pacers have gone on to become NBA coaches, including Mark Jackson and Nate McMillan.27)
Homegrown Stars
The team often emphasizes drafting or signing players from Indiana or the Midwest.28)
Danny Granger Era
Danny Granger was an All-Star and team leader in the late 2000s before injuries shortened his prime.29)
Victor Oladipo’s Revival
Victor Oladipo had a career resurgence in Indiana, becoming an All-Star and Most Improved Player.30)