The 2001-02 Indiana Pacers navigated a transitional season marked by significant roster changes. Coached by Isiah Thomas, the Pacers finished with a 42-40 record, securing the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. A key addition that season was forward Ron Artest, acquired in a midseason trade from the Chicago Bulls, which also brought Brad Miller and Ron Mercer to Indiana.
Despite the roster shake-up, the Pacers managed to clinch a playoff berth. Their postseason run was short-lived, however, as they faced the top-seeded New Jersey Nets in the first round. The series extended to five games, with the Pacers ultimately falling to the Nets 3-2. Reggie Miller, the team’s veteran leader, continued to be a pivotal presence, guiding younger players through a challenging season. The campaign set the stage for future successes, as the team began building towards a more cohesive unit in subsequent years.
- Regular Season Record: 42-40
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 2-3
Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats for 2001-02 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Jermaine O'Neal | 72 | 19.0 | 10.5 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 7.2 | 5 | 17.2 | 7.6 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.0 |
| Jalen Rose | 53 | 18.5 | 4.7 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 35.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Reggie Miller | 79 | 16.5 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 40.6 | 5 | 23.6 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 41.9 |
| Brad Miller | 28 | 15.1 | 7.9 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 33.3 | 5 | 11.2 | 9.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Al Harrington | 44 | 13.1 | 6.3 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 33.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Metta World Peace | 28 | 10.9 | 5.0 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 21.5 | 5 | 11.8 | 6.0 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 46.2 |
| Jamaal Tinsley | 80 | 9.4 | 3.7 | 8.1 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 24.0 | 5 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jonathan Bender | 78 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 36.0 | 5 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Travis Best | 44 | 6.9 | 1.6 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 38.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Austin Croshere | 76 | 6.8 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 33.8 | 4 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 33.3 |
| Jeff Foster | 82 | 5.7 | 6.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 13.3 | 5 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 50.0 |
| Kevin Ollie | 29 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5 | 5.8 | 2.4 | 4.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Ron Mercer | 13 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 20.0 | 5 | 7.8 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Carlos Rogers | 22 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 16.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Primož Brezec | 22 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bruno Šundov | 22 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jamison Brewer | 13 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Norm Richardson | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Indiana Pacers in the 2002 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. New Jersey Nets
In the first round of the 2002 NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers faced the New Jersey Nets in a thrilling five-game series. Despite a valiant effort led by Reggie Miller, including a remarkable 31-point performance in Game 5, the Pacers ultimately fell short, losing the series 3-2. The series was highlighted by Miller's iconic 40-foot shot that sent Game 5 into overtime, showcasing the Pacers' resilience and competitive spirit.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 20, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 89-83 | |
| Apr 22, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 95-79 | |
| Apr 26, 2002 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 85-84 | |
| Apr 30, 2002 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 97-74 | |
| May 02, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 120-109 |
Indiana Pacers 2001-02 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2001-02 season for the Indiana Pacers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 103-97 | |
| Oct 31, 2001 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 98-73 | |
| Nov 02, 2001 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 117-107 | |
| Nov 04, 2001 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 113-100 | |
| Nov 06, 2001 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 87-77 | |
| Nov 07, 2001 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 116-104 | |
| Nov 09, 2001 | vs. New York Knicks | W 103-95 | |
| Nov 10, 2001 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 105-96 | |
| Nov 13, 2001 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 91-82 | |
| Nov 14, 2001 | @ Boston Celtics | L 101-93 | |
| Nov 16, 2001 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 120-113 | |
| Nov 17, 2001 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 104-98 | |
| Nov 20, 2001 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 106-102 | |
| Nov 22, 2001 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 110-103 | |
| Nov 23, 2001 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 97-79 | |
| Nov 25, 2001 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-88 | |
| Nov 27, 2001 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 96-90 | |
| Nov 28, 2001 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 99-85 | |
| Dec 01, 2001 | @ Utah Jazz | W 100-97 | |
| Dec 02, 2001 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 103-72 | |
| Dec 04, 2001 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 104-96 | |
| Dec 07, 2001 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 98-83 | |
| Dec 08, 2001 | @ New York Knicks | L 101-99 | |
| Dec 13, 2001 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 108-106 | |
| Dec 15, 2001 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 115-95 | |
| Dec 18, 2001 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 103-100 | |
| Dec 19, 2001 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 102-90 | |
| Dec 21, 2001 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 100-94 | |
| Dec 22, 2001 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 109-103 | |
| Dec 26, 2001 | @ Orlando Magic | W 89-82 | |
| Dec 27, 2001 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 108-81 | |
| Dec 29, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 98-93 | |
| Dec 31, 2001 | vs. Miami Heat | L 89-87 | |
| Jan 04, 2002 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 92-82 | |
| Jan 05, 2002 | @ Houston Rockets | W 81-79 | |
| Jan 09, 2002 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 109-90 | |
| Jan 11, 2002 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 97-90 | |
| Jan 12, 2002 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 111-102 | |
| Jan 15, 2002 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-102 | |
| Jan 16, 2002 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 105-100 | |
| Jan 18, 2002 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 96-93 | |
| Jan 19, 2002 | @ Miami Heat | L 100-88 | |
| Jan 21, 2002 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 93-81 | |
| Jan 23, 2002 | @ Boston Celtics | L 98-94 | |
| Jan 25, 2002 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 90-81 | |
| Jan 26, 2002 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 95-86 | |
| Jan 30, 2002 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 83-82 | |
| Feb 01, 2002 | vs. New York Knicks | W 92-87 | |
| Feb 03, 2002 | @ Washington Wizards | L 109-89 | |
| Feb 05, 2002 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 141-140 | |
| Feb 12, 2002 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 98-82 | |
| Feb 15, 2002 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 116-106 | |
| Feb 17, 2002 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 86-76 | |
| Feb 22, 2002 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 103-93 | |
| Feb 23, 2002 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 106-88 | |
| Feb 25, 2002 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 102-97 | |
| Feb 28, 2002 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 107-100 | |
| Mar 01, 2002 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 96-84 | |
| Mar 03, 2002 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 97-86 | |
| Mar 05, 2002 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 111-98 | |
| Mar 07, 2002 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 122-111 | |
| Mar 08, 2002 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 109-100 | |
| Mar 10, 2002 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 89-84 | |
| Mar 12, 2002 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 115-101 | |
| Mar 15, 2002 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 98-85 | |
| Mar 17, 2002 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 85-68 | |
| Mar 20, 2002 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 94-88 | |
| Mar 22, 2002 | @ Miami Heat | W 104-94 | |
| Mar 24, 2002 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 99-84 | |
| Mar 26, 2002 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 96-77 | |
| Mar 29, 2002 | @ Orlando Magic | L 114-106 | |
| Mar 31, 2002 | vs. Miami Heat | W 100-81 | |
| Apr 02, 2002 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 105-94 | |
| Apr 04, 2002 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 95-94 | |
| Apr 05, 2002 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 97-87 | |
| Apr 07, 2002 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 94-84 | |
| Apr 08, 2002 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 111-99 | |
| Apr 10, 2002 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 98-82 | |
| Apr 12, 2002 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 112-107 | |
| Apr 14, 2002 | @ Washington Wizards | W 86-80 | |
| Apr 16, 2002 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 99-95 | |
| Apr 17, 2002 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 103-80 |