The 1990-91 Indiana Pacers experienced a season of moderate success, finishing with a 41-41 record. This performance secured them the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Under head coach Dick Versace, the Pacers showed potential, but consistency was a challenge throughout the season.
Reggie Miller emerged as the team’s star, averaging 22.6 points per game and establishing himself as a premier shooter in the league. Alongside him, forward Chuck Person provided solid support with his scoring and versatility. Despite their efforts, the Pacers struggled defensively, which often hindered their success against stronger teams.
In the playoffs, the Pacers faced the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, Indiana was swept 3-0, highlighting the gap between them and the league’s elite teams. The season set the foundation for future growth, with the emergence of Miller as a franchise cornerstone.
- Regular Season Record: 41-41
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 2-3
Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats for 1990-91 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Reggie Miller | 82 | 22.6 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 34.8 | 5 | 21.6 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 42.1 |
| Chuck Person | 80 | 18.4 | 5.2 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 34.0 | 5 | 26.0 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 54.8 |
| Detlef Schrempf | 82 | 16.1 | 8.0 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 37.5 | 5 | 15.8 | 7.2 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Vern Fleming | 69 | 12.7 | 3.1 | 5.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 22.2 | 5 | 9.4 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Micheal Williams | 73 | 11.1 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 14.3 | 5 | 20.6 | 3.2 | 8.4 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rik Smits | 76 | 10.9 | 4.7 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 5 | 9.8 | 3.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| LaSalle Thompson | 82 | 7.6 | 6.9 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 20.0 | 5 | 9.0 | 6.2 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Mike Sanders | 80 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 20.0 | 5 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 50.0 |
| George McCloud | 74 | 4.6 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 34.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Greg Dreiling | 73 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 5 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kenny Williams | 75 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Randy Wittman | 41 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jawann Oldham | 4 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Byron Dinkins | 2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Indiana Pacers in the 1991 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers faced a tough challenge in the first round against the Boston Celtics. Despite Reggie Miller's standout performances, the Pacers were unable to advance, losing the series 3-2. The experience highlighted the team's potential but also underscored the need for further development to compete with the league's elite.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 127-120 | |
| Apr 28, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | W 130-118 | |
| May 01, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 112-105 | |
| May 03, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 116-113 | |
| May 05, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 124-121 |
Indiana Pacers 1990-91 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1990-91 season for the Indiana Pacers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 02, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 100-81 | |
| Nov 03, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 121-120 | |
| Nov 06, 1990 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 98-96 | |
| Nov 09, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 122-107 | |
| Nov 10, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | L 120-105 | |
| Nov 13, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 108-100 | |
| Nov 14, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 113-95 | |
| Nov 16, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 106-80 | |
| Nov 17, 1990 | @ Orlando Magic | L 96-89 | |
| Nov 21, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 108-100 | |
| Nov 23, 1990 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 112-111 | |
| Nov 24, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | L 107-105 | |
| Nov 27, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 112-98 | |
| Nov 28, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 116-106 | |
| Nov 30, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 124-95 | |
| Dec 02, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 107-103 | |
| Dec 04, 1990 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 83-81 | |
| Dec 05, 1990 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 126-121 | |
| Dec 07, 1990 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 127-105 | |
| Dec 08, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 114-99 | |
| Dec 11, 1990 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 122-96 | |
| Dec 12, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-90 | |
| Dec 15, 1990 | @ Utah Jazz | W 124-116 | |
| Dec 16, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-112 | |
| Dec 19, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 114-112 | |
| Dec 21, 1990 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 137-114 | |
| Dec 22, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 128-118 | |
| Dec 26, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 152-132 | |
| Dec 29, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 114-105 | |
| Jan 02, 1991 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 121-109 | |
| Jan 04, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 111-96 | |
| Jan 05, 1991 | @ Houston Rockets | L 112-99 | |
| Jan 08, 1991 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 122-107 | |
| Jan 10, 1991 | @ New York Knicks | W 129-122 | |
| Jan 12, 1991 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 118-110 | |
| Jan 15, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 117-106 | |
| Jan 16, 1991 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 126-119 | |
| Jan 19, 1991 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 117-104 | |
| Jan 21, 1991 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 120-114 | |
| Jan 23, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 110-109 | |
| Jan 25, 1991 | @ Washington Bullets | W 106-100 | |
| Jan 30, 1991 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 123-105 | |
| Feb 01, 1991 | @ Miami Heat | L 116-113 | |
| Feb 02, 1991 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-100 | |
| Feb 05, 1991 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 114-109 | |
| Feb 07, 1991 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 118-108 | |
| Feb 12, 1991 | vs. New York Knicks | L 114-110 | |
| Feb 13, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 105-101 | |
| Feb 17, 1991 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 113-110 | |
| Feb 19, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 115-102 | |
| Feb 20, 1991 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 122-120 | |
| Feb 22, 1991 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-98 | |
| Feb 24, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 115-109 | |
| Feb 26, 1991 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 129-104 | |
| Feb 27, 1991 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 108-104 | |
| Mar 01, 1991 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 118-115 | |
| Mar 02, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 135-114 | |
| Mar 04, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 126-101 | |
| Mar 05, 1991 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 112-101 | |
| Mar 07, 1991 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 145-125 | |
| Mar 09, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 114-112 | |
| Mar 12, 1991 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 129-117 | |
| Mar 14, 1991 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 107-103 | |
| Mar 15, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 121-109 | |
| Mar 17, 1991 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 130-92 | |
| Mar 18, 1991 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 111-103 | |
| Mar 20, 1991 | vs. Miami Heat | W 117-107 | |
| Mar 22, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 121-109 | |
| Mar 23, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 133-119 | |
| Mar 26, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 123-113 | |
| Mar 27, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 102-93 | |
| Mar 31, 1991 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 127-120 | |
| Apr 03, 1991 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-104 | |
| Apr 05, 1991 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 117-103 | |
| Apr 06, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 137-110 | |
| Apr 09, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 122-120 | |
| Apr 10, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 101-96 | |
| Apr 12, 1991 | @ New York Knicks | L 112-108 | |
| Apr 14, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 125-107 | |
| Apr 16, 1991 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 132-126 | |
| Apr 19, 1991 | vs. New York Knicks | W 130-118 | |
| Apr 20, 1991 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 133-100 |