The 1997-98 Indiana Pacers, under head coach Larry Bird, had a standout season, finishing with a 58-24 record, which was the best in franchise history at that time. This performance secured them the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Key players included Reggie Miller, who led the team with his sharpshooting, and Rik Smits, providing a strong presence in the paint.
In the playoffs, the Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round (3-1) and overcame the New York Knicks in the semifinals (4-1). They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, facing the Chicago Bulls. The series was fiercely contested, ultimately going to seven games. Despite a valiant effort, the Pacers fell to the Bulls, who went on to win the NBA championship. This season marked a turning point for the franchise, establishing the Pacers as formidable contenders in the league.
- Regular Season Record: 58-24
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-1, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Eastern Conference Finals: 3-4
Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats for 1997-98 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Reggie Miller | 81 | 19.5 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 42.9 | 16 | 19.9 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 40.0 |
| Rik Smits | 73 | 16.7 | 6.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 16 | 16.6 | 5.3 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Chris Mullin | 82 | 11.3 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 44.0 | 16 | 8.9 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 38.5 |
| Antonio Davis | 82 | 9.6 | 6.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 16 | 9.2 | 6.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Jalen Rose | 82 | 9.4 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 34.3 | 15 | 8.1 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 37.5 |
| Mark Jackson | 82 | 8.3 | 3.9 | 8.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 31.4 | 16 | 9.2 | 4.6 | 8.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 37.8 |
| Dale Davis | 78 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 16 | 8.8 | 7.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Travis Best | 82 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 30.0 | 16 | 6.1 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 27.8 |
| Derrick McKey | 57 | 6.3 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 23.5 | 15 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 30.0 |
| Fred Hoiberg | 65 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 37.6 | 2 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Austin Croshere | 26 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 30.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mark West | 15 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mark Pope | 28 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 33.3 | 7 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Etdrick Bohannon | 5 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Indiana Pacers in the 1998 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the first round of the 1998 NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers showcased their dominance by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in a best-of-five series. The Pacers, led by Reggie Miller's clutch performances and a well-rounded team effort, demonstrated their prowess on both ends of the floor, setting the stage for a deep playoff run. Their efficient offense and stifling defense proved too much for the Cavaliers, marking a strong start to their postseason campaign.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1998 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-77 | |
| Apr 25, 1998 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 92-86 | |
| Apr 27, 1998 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 86-77 | |
| Apr 30, 1998 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 80-74 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. New York Knicks
In the 1998 NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers faced the New York Knicks in the second round, delivering a thrilling series that went to the full five games. The Pacers, led by Reggie Miller's clutch performances, managed to edge out the Knicks with a decisive Game 5 victory, securing their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. This series further cemented Miller's reputation as a playoff performer and ignited the Pacers' fierce rivalry with the Knicks during the late '90s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 1998 | vs. New York Knicks | W 93-83 | |
| May 07, 1998 | vs. New York Knicks | W 85-77 | |
| May 09, 1998 | @ New York Knicks | L 83-76 | |
| May 10, 1998 | @ New York Knicks | W 118-107 | |
| May 13, 1998 | vs. New York Knicks | W 99-88 |
1998 Conference Championship vs. Chicago Bulls
In the 1998 NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals, pushing the Chicago Bulls to a thrilling seven-game series. Under the guidance of coach Larry Bird and the leadership of Reggie Miller, the Pacers showcased their resilience and competitive spirit. Despite ultimately falling to the Bulls, Indiana's performance solidified their status as a formidable contender in the league during that era.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 85-79 | |
| May 19, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 104-98 | |
| May 23, 1998 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 107-105 | |
| May 25, 1998 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 96-94 | |
| May 27, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 106-87 | |
| May 29, 1998 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 92-89 | |
| May 31, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 88-83 |
Indiana Pacers 1997-98 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1997-98 season for the Indiana Pacers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1997 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 97-95 | |
| Nov 01, 1997 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 96-83 | |
| Nov 04, 1997 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 80-77 | |
| Nov 05, 1997 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 99-87 | |
| Nov 07, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-93 | |
| Nov 08, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 89-82 | |
| Nov 12, 1997 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 89-86 | |
| Nov 14, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | W 82-78 | |
| Nov 15, 1997 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 105-77 | |
| Nov 20, 1997 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 109-83 | |
| Nov 22, 1997 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 95-94 | |
| Nov 27, 1997 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 106-85 | |
| Nov 28, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 94-83 | |
| Nov 30, 1997 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 101-89 | |
| Dec 03, 1997 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 94-90 | |
| Dec 05, 1997 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 96-85 | |
| Dec 07, 1997 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 99-97 | |
| Dec 08, 1997 | @ Utah Jazz | L 106-97 | |
| Dec 10, 1997 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 93-85 | |
| Dec 12, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | W 104-89 | |
| Dec 13, 1997 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 109-92 | |
| Dec 15, 1997 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 108-101 | |
| Dec 17, 1997 | vs. New York Knicks | W 87-80 | |
| Dec 19, 1997 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 98-90 | |
| Dec 20, 1997 | @ Orlando Magic | W 95-92 | |
| Dec 23, 1997 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 91-79 | |
| Dec 26, 1997 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 107-81 | |
| Dec 28, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | L 101-90 | |
| Dec 30, 1997 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 109-91 | |
| Jan 02, 1998 | @ Washington Wizards | W 99-81 | |
| Jan 03, 1998 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 89-77 | |
| Jan 06, 1998 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 81-80 | |
| Jan 08, 1998 | @ Houston Rockets | W 87-80 | |
| Jan 10, 1998 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 84-79 | |
| Jan 14, 1998 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 100-93 | |
| Jan 16, 1998 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 117-92 | |
| Jan 18, 1998 | @ Boston Celtics | W 103-96 | |
| Jan 21, 1998 | @ New York Knicks | L 97-89 | |
| Jan 23, 1998 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 106-102 | |
| Jan 24, 1998 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 95-88 | |
| Jan 27, 1998 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 85-84 | |
| Jan 28, 1998 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 93-90 | |
| Jan 30, 1998 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 89-83 | |
| Feb 01, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 99-92 | |
| Feb 03, 1998 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 115-93 | |
| Feb 04, 1998 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-97 | |
| Feb 10, 1998 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 85-66 | |
| Feb 11, 1998 | @ Miami Heat | W 110-101 | |
| Feb 13, 1998 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 85-82 | |
| Feb 14, 1998 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 96-92 | |
| Feb 17, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 105-97 | |
| Feb 19, 1998 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 82-77 | |
| Feb 20, 1998 | @ Orlando Magic | L 93-91 | |
| Feb 22, 1998 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 97-92 | |
| Feb 25, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 96-89 | |
| Feb 27, 1998 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 124-59 | |
| Mar 01, 1998 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 90-63 | |
| Mar 03, 1998 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 111-103 | |
| Mar 04, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-95 | |
| Mar 06, 1998 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 101-87 | |
| Mar 08, 1998 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 104-100 | |
| Mar 11, 1998 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 122-91 | |
| Mar 13, 1998 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 96-76 | |
| Mar 15, 1998 | @ New York Knicks | W 91-86 | |
| Mar 17, 1998 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 90-84 | |
| Mar 19, 1998 | @ Washington Wizards | W 95-91 | |
| Mar 20, 1998 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 99-92 | |
| Mar 22, 1998 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 96-94 | |
| Mar 25, 1998 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 86-81 | |
| Mar 27, 1998 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 133-96 | |
| Mar 29, 1998 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 74-55 | |
| Mar 31, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 128-106 | |
| Apr 02, 1998 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 111-108 | |
| Apr 03, 1998 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 96-89 | |
| Apr 05, 1998 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 93-92 | |
| Apr 07, 1998 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 82-80 | |
| Apr 09, 1998 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 105-102 | |
| Apr 12, 1998 | @ Boston Celtics | W 93-87 | |
| Apr 13, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 114-105 | |
| Apr 15, 1998 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 82-70 | |
| Apr 17, 1998 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 107-98 | |
| Apr 18, 1998 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 96-92 |