Indiana Pacers

The First Indy 500 was a spectacular start in 1911, marking the beginning of a historic auto racing event.

The Indiana Pacers were founded and started playing their home games at the Indiana State Fairgrounds between 1967 and 1974.

The Indiana Pacers were founded on February 2, 1967, as an American Basketball Association franchise. The team was established by Richard Tinkham, John DeVoe, Chuck DeVoe, Chuck Barnes, and Bob Collins.

The Indiana Pacers joined the NBA in 1976 and have been a competitive team in the league, especially during the ABA-NBA merger.

On June 16, 1967, the franchise announced it would be known as the “Pacers” because the organization intended to set the “pace” in professional basketball. Mike Storen was named as its first general manager and Larry Staverman was chosen as the first head coach.

The first logo introduced in 1968 featured a hand grasping a yellow basketball with a thick dark blue outline in the shape of the letter 'P', marking the initial branding of the team.

In 1969, George McGinnis, the 1969 Indiana high school Mr. Basketball, joined the Pacers after his sophomore season at Indiana University. McGinnis was a significant addition to the team.

The Indiana Pacers, originally part of the ABA, won three league championships in 1970, 1972, and 1973. Led by notable players like Roger Brown and Mel Daniels, the Pacers established themselves as a successful team in the league.

In 1972, the Indiana Pacers emerged victorious in the ABA Finals, securing their championship title.

In 1973, the Indiana Pacers, under the leadership of coach Bobby 'Slick' Leonard, won the ABA league title. This victory was part of the club's success in becoming the ABA's showcase franchise.

The Indiana Pacers relocated to the Market Square Arena in 1974 shortly before officially joining the NBA as a franchise.

The first regular-season ABA game at Market Square Arena took place on October 18, 1974, between the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs. The Pacers lost in double overtime with a score of 129–121 in front of 7,473 fans.

On October 23, 1974, the Indiana Pacers secured their first victory at Market Square Arena with a 122–107 win over the Spirits of St. Louis.

The 1974–75 season concluded for the Indiana Pacers with the ABA Finals played at Market Square Arena and Freedom Hall against their rivals, the Kentucky Colonels. The Colonels emerged victorious, winning the ABA title in five games (4–1).

The Indiana Pacers played their first NBA game at Market Square Arena on October 21, 1976, against the Boston Celtics. The Pacers suffered an overtime loss with a score of 129–122.

In July 1977, the Indiana Pacers faced financial difficulties after joining the NBA and needed to sell 8,000 season tickets to avoid being relocated. A telethon organized by WTTV helped the team reach its goal just 10 minutes before the deadline.

During their inaugural NBA season in 1978, the Indiana Pacers finished with a record of 36–46. Despite challenges, players like Billy Knight and Don Buse represented the team at the NBA All-Star Game, providing a bright spot in an otherwise tough period for the Pacers.

In 1979, the Indiana Pacers franchise was sold to California businessman Sam Nassi after a series of ownership changes, helping the team overcome financial difficulties.

In 1980, the Pacers traded Alex English to the Nuggets to reacquire George McGinnis, who was past his prime and did not contribute much. This trade turned out to be one of the most one-sided trades in NBA history as English went on to become a prolific scorer.

Between 1981 and 1984, the Indiana Pacers jersey saw smaller lettering and consistency in coloring for the letters and numbers. The design remained largely unchanged during this period.

In 1982, the Pacers drafted Clark Kellogg who showed promise by finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting. However, the team had a disappointing season in 1982-83 with their worst record and struggled in the following seasons.

In 1983, Indianapolis shopping mall magnates Melvin Simon and Herbert Simon bought the Indiana Pacers, saving professional basketball in Indiana. This acquisition brought stability and hope for the team's future.

In a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1984, the Pacers acquired center Tom Owens by giving up a draft pick. Owens played only one season for the Pacers with minimal impact. This trade became even more regrettable when the Blazers used the pick to select Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan in the draft.

Between 1985 and 1990, the Indiana Pacers unveiled a new jersey featuring dark blue color with a distinctive yellow stripe across the chest area. The jersey had the team name 'Pacers' in capital blue letters on the yellow stripe.

Reggie Miller was drafted by the Pacers in 1987 from UCLA, initially serving as a backup. His selection over Steve Alford was questioned by fans. This marked the beginning of the Reggie Miller era for the Pacers.

In 1988, shooting guard Reggie Miller and center Rik Smits joined the Indiana Pacers, leading the team to seven consecutive postseason berths starting in 1989-90.

In 1989, the Indiana Pacers drafted Detlef Schrempf, a key player who would become instrumental in the team's success in the early 1990s, eventually earning a spot in the All-Star game.

From 1990 to 1997, the Indiana Pacers sported a black jersey with diagonal lines separating yellow and white colors. The team name 'Indiana' was displayed in yellow font with white borders.

In 1991, the Indiana Pacers played 5 games in the playoffs with an average of 21.6 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game. They lost in the final series 3-2 to the Boston Celtics, exiting in the first round.

In 1992, the Indiana Pacers made it to the First Round of the playoffs but were defeated by the New York Knicks in a 3-1 series. Despite the early exit, they had an impressive average of 31.5 points per game.

The Indiana Pacers had a strong showing in the 1993 playoffs, reaching the Conference Finals but ultimately falling short against the New York Knicks in a 4-3 series. They averaged 31.5 points per game during this postseason.

Under the leadership of coach Larry Brown, the Indiana Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1994. This marked the first time the team had progressed beyond the initial playoff round, generating excitement among fans.

On March 19, 1995, Michael Jordan made his return to the Chicago Bulls at Market Square Arena in a game against the Indiana Pacers, resulting in a loss for the Bulls.

The Indiana Pacers reached the Conference Finals in 1996 but were defeated by the Chicago Bulls in a close series that ended 4-3. Throughout the playoffs, they maintained an average of 19.9 points per game, 1.8 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game.

In 1997, the Pacers introduced a new jersey predominantly in yellow with vertical black pinstripes. The team name 'Indiana' was written in black letters with a white outline.

In 1998, the Indiana Pacers made it to the Conference Finals but lost to the New York Knicks in the final series. During the playoffs, they had an average of 20.2 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 2.6 assists per game.

The Indiana Pacers shifted to the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 1999, which is their current home arena known for its excellent sightlines.

The last game played by the Indiana Pacers at Market Square Arena was a pre-season exhibition match against the Utah Jazz on October 23, 1999.

In 1999-2000, the Pacers made their first NBA Finals appearance and also moved to a new venue that was opened on November 6, 1999. The venue was designed to reflect the tradition and history of Indiana basketball.

Following the 1999-2000 season, the Indiana Pacers experienced personnel turnover, including the trade for young forward Jermaine O'Neal, who would later contribute to the team's success.

In the midseason of 2001–02, the Pacers made a significant trade with the Chicago Bulls, sending Jalen Rose and Travis Best to Chicago in exchange for Brad Miller, Ron Artest, Kevin Ollie, and Ron Mercer.

The Pacers started the season strong with a 13-2 record but faced challenges after the All-Star break due to player suspensions and family tragedies. Despite finishing 48-34, they were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

During the 2003-04 season, under coach Rick Carlisle, the Pacers had a breakthrough season finishing 61-21. Ron Artest was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, and the team reached the conference finals but were defeated by the Detroit Pistons.

During a game against the Detroit Pistons, a brawl erupted involving players and fans. Ron Artest was suspended for 73 games, the longest in NBA history for an on-court incident. The incident had a significant impact on the Pacers' season and reputation.

During a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons, a brawl broke out involving players and fans, leading to suspensions and legal charges.

Reggie Miller played his final NBA game on May 19, 2005, scoring 27 points. Despite his efforts, the Pacers lost the game, leading to Miller's retirement without an NBA Championship after an 18-year career with the Pacers.

On September 29, 2005, the Indiana Pacers unveiled their then-new uniforms.

On December 10, 2005, Ron Artest expressed his desire to be traded from the Pacers, stating that the team would be better off without him. This led to the Pacers placing Artest on their inactive list and initiating trade discussions.

On January 24, 2006, a trade involving Ron Artest being sent to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Peja Stojaković was initially declined but later accepted the following day. This marked the end of Artest's tumultuous time with the Pacers.

On February 1, 2006, the Indiana Pacers achieved a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant. The Pacers managed to keep Bryant below his average scoring, showcasing a strong performance despite challenges.

The Indiana Pacers retired Reggie Miller's jersey number 31 in a ceremony during a game against the Phoenix Suns, honoring his contributions to the team.

On October 6, 2006, Indiana Pacers player Stephen Jackson and teammates visited a strip club where an argument ensued. Jackson was hit by a car and responded by firing a warning shot.

On January 17, 2007, the Indiana Pacers traded Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, and Josh Powell to the Golden State Warriors for Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Ike Diogu, and Keith McLeod.

On April 10, 2007, the Pacers announced the firing of coach Rick Carlisle due to the team's first losing record in ten seasons. Pacers President Larry Bird mentioned that Carlisle had the chance to return to the franchise in a different role, but Carlisle chose to leave and later joined the Dallas Mavericks.

On April 25, 2007, the Indiana Pacers announced the firing of coach Rick Carlisle due to the team's first losing record in ten seasons. Jim O'Brien was named as the new head coach.

On May 31, 2007, Jim O'Brien was named as the successor to Rick Carlisle as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. O'Brien aimed to lead the team back to the playoffs with a more up-tempo coaching style.

On July 9, 2008, the Pacers traded Jermaine O'Neal and the rights to Nathan Jawai to the Toronto Raptors for T. J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston, and the rights to Roy Hibbert.

On October 10, 2008, the Pacers traded Shawne Williams to the Dallas Mavericks for Eddie Jones and two future second-round draft picks.

On September 16, 2009, co-owner Melvin Simon died at the age of 82. The Pacers wore 'Mel' patches in his honor for the 2009–10 season.

In the 2010 NBA draft, the Indiana Pacers selected forward/guard Paul George with the 10th overall pick. They also drafted guard Lance Stephenson in the second round.

On July 1, 2010, the Indiana Pacers signed Paul George to his rookie contract.

Lance Stephenson signed a multi-year contract with the Indiana Pacers on July 22, 2010.

On August 11, 2010, the Indiana Pacers acquired guard Darren Collison and swingman James Posey from the New Orleans Hornets in a four-team, five-player deal.

During a home game against Denver, the Pacers scored 54 points in the 3rd quarter alone, setting a franchise record. Led by Mike Dunleavy's 24 points in the period, the team was only four points short of the all-time NBA record for points in a quarter.

On January 30, 2011, the Indiana Pacers relieved Jim O'Brien of his coaching duties and named assistant coach Frank Vogel interim head coach.

With a victory over the Washington Wizards on April 6, 2011, the Indiana Pacers clinched their first playoff berth since 2006.

On July 7, 2011, the Indiana Pacers named Frank Vogel their permanent head coach.

On May 8, 2012, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 105–87 to win their first playoff series since 2005.

On May 15, 2012, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Miami Heat to tie the second-round series at 1–1.

On May 17, 2012, the Indiana Pacers beat the Miami Heat 94–75 to take the series lead 2–1.

On June 26, 2012, general manager David Morway officially resigned, followed by president of basketball operations Larry Bird stepping down the next day. They were replaced by Donnie Walsh and Kevin Pritchard, respectively.

Approximately 30 minutes before the trade deadline on February 21, 2013, Danny Granger was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen.

On April 7, 2013, the Pacers clinched their first Central Division championship since the 2003–04 season after finishing with a 49–32 record and securing the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference.

On May 22, 2013, the Pacers lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat in overtime with a score of 103–102.

On May 24, 2013, the Pacers won Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat with a score of 97–93, clinching the victory after David West deflected a pass from LeBron James.

On June 1, 2013, the Pacers won Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, extending the series to Game 7 where they were ultimately defeated.

The Pacers undefeated streak ended at 9–0 against the Bulls on November 16.

On January 14, 2014, Frank Vogel was named the Eastern Conference head coach for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game, with Paul George and Roy Hibbert also selected for the All-Star Game.

In 2014, the Pacers were eliminated by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight year, despite managing to win Game 5 and avoid elimination.

Paul George suffered a catastrophic open fracture to his right leg (tibia and fibula) while defending James Harden in a Team USA scrimmage in preparation for the FIBA World Cup. He underwent surgery the next day and was expected to miss the entire 2014–15 season.

Paul George returned from his injury to play in a game against the Miami Heat. He shot 5 of 12 from the field and contributed with two steals, two rebounds, and two assists in a winning effort, playing for fifteen minutes.

On July 21, 2015, the Indiana Pacers, in collaboration with MGM Studios, unveiled 'Hickory' uniforms based on the 1986 film Hoosiers, marking the first time a major North American pro sports team wore a uniform inspired by a movie.

Pacers' president Larry Bird announced that head coach Frank Vogel's contract would not be renewed after the team's 2015-2016 season, citing a need for 'a new voice' to lead the players.

Paul George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The trade received heavy criticism, but it marked the beginning of a new era for the Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers unveiled new uniforms and logos to coincide with the NBA's uniform contract with Nike on July 28, 2017.

The revamped Pacers secured a victory against the Nets with new faces in the team.

Victor Oladipo's late 3-pointer led the Pacers to a rare 97-94 win over the Spurs.

Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pacers to a 101-83 rout of the Kings in this game.

While playing against the Toronto Raptors, Victor Oladipo suffered a ruptured quad tendon, ruling him out for the rest of the 2018-2019 NBA season.

After an active 2019 off-season, the Pacers fielded four new starters on opening night, including Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, T. J. Warren, and Jeremy Lamb.

On August 12, 2020, the Indiana Pacers announced that they had extended Nate McMillan's contract.

On August 26, 2020, Nate McMillan and the Indiana Pacers parted ways, just two weeks after it was announced that the team had re-signed him.

On October 20, 2020, Nate Bjorkgren was hired as the new head coach of the Indiana Pacers. He led the team to a 34–38 record in his lone season.

Victor Oladipo was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a four-team deal that involved James Harden and Caris LeVert.

After missing the 2021 NBA Playoffs and amid reported locker room tension, the Indiana Pacers fired head coach Nate Bjorkgren on June 9, 2021.

On June 24, 2021, the Indiana Pacers re-hired Rick Carlisle for a second stint as the team's head coach.

In the 2021 NBA draft, the Indiana Pacers selected Chris Duarte with the 13th pick, who later made it to the 2022 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

On August 11, 2022, the NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its member teams, including the Pacers.

Tyrese Haliburton was chosen as a reserve guard for the Eastern Conference in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star selection.

On March 25, 2023, Jordan Nwora scored 33 points in a quarter against the Atlanta Hawks, setting a franchise record for the Pacers.

On July 1, 2023, Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard signed their rookie contracts with the Indiana Pacers, securing their spots on the team.

Tyrese Haliburton signed a lucrative max contract extension with the Indiana Pacers during the 2023 NBA free agency, solidifying his future with the team.

On January 17, 2024, the Pacers acquired All-Star forward Pascal Siakam in a trade with the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans, giving up Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three future first-round picks.

On January 25, 2024, Tyrese Haliburton was named an Eastern Conference starting guard for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, held in Indianapolis, marking his second consecutive All-Star selection and first as a starter.

Tyrese Haliburton delivers an impressive performance in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game with the home crowd supporting him.

Paul George expresses admiration for Tyrese Haliburton and looks back on his own experiences with the Indiana Pacers.

Former Indiana Pacers great Metta Sandiford-Artest (Ron Artest) shares insights during the NBA All-Star weekend.

Vince Carter reminisces about one of his early memorable moments playing against the Indiana Pacers.

Damian Lillard scored 35 points in the first half of a postseason game against the Pacers, setting a record for the Bucks. The performance showcased Lillard's scoring prowess and impact on the game.