The Indiana Pacers are one of the NBA’s most respected franchises, known for their strong basketball culture, passionate fan base, and deep roots in the state of Indiana, where basketball is a way of life. Founded in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), the Pacers quickly became a dominant force, winning three ABA championships before joining the NBA in 1976.
During their ABA days, the Pacers were led by stars like Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, and George McGinnis, establishing themselves as one of the league’s premier teams. The transition to the NBA, however, was challenging, as the team struggled to find consistent success in the late 1970s and 1980s.
The franchise took a major step forward in the 1990s, led by Reggie Miller, one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. Miller became the face of the franchise and was known for his clutch performances, especially against the rival New York Knicks in the playoffs. Under head coach Larry Bird, the Pacers reached their first and only NBA Finals in 2000, but they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the 2010s, the Pacers became contenders again, built around Paul George, Roy Hibbert, and David West. They reached back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014 but were unable to get past LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Today, the Pacers are rebuilding with a promising young core, led by Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner. With a strong basketball tradition and a commitment to development, the Pacers remain a competitive team in the Eastern Conference, aiming to bring a long-awaited championship to Indiana.