Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are an NBA basketball team playing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The club began in the ABA in 1967 and joined the NBA in 1976.

Contents21 sections

Key facts

1967An ABA founding team

In February, Indiana businessmen pooled funds for a franchise in the new ABA. On June 16, the club announced the Pacers name, expressing an ambition to set the pace in professional basketball.⁠[1]

1970–1973Three ABA championships

Bobby “Slick” Leonard coached the Pacers to titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973 and five ABA Finals appearances. He won 69 ABA playoff games and later spent many years broadcasting Pacers games.⁠[2]

1974Moving to Market Square Arena

The new downtown arena opened.⁠[3]

1976–1977Joining the NBA and a fundraising telethon

Following the ABA–NBA merger, the Pacers became one of the teams admitted to the NBA. A $3.2 million entry fee and other costs left the club struggling. Assistant general manager Nancy Leonard proposed a telethon, and the summer 1977 event helped keep the franchise operating.⁠[4]

1983The Simon brothers take over

Herb Simon and his brother Melvin bought the franchise. During their ownership, the Pacers later won multiple Central Division titles and reached their first NBA Finals in 2000.⁠[5]

1987–2005The Reggie Miller era

Selected 11th in the draft, Miller spent all 18 NBA seasons with Indiana. A five-time All-Star, he scored over 25,000 points and retired with a then-record 2,560 three-pointers, earning a reputation for clutch shooting.⁠[6][1]

November 6, 1999Conseco Fieldhouse opens

The club began playing in its new arena, renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011.⁠[3]

2000The first NBA Finals

Larry Bird’s Pacers reached the Finals and lost to the Lakers.⁠[1]

2003–2004Carlisle and the Eastern finals

Rick Carlisle began his first stint coaching Indiana and reached the Eastern finals in his first season. From 2003 to 2007, he went 181–147 and made three consecutive playoff appearances.⁠[7]

2004

The Auburn Hills brawl led to Artest’s season-ending suspension.⁠[8]

2013–2014Consecutive Eastern finals

Frank Vogel’s team lost to the Heat both times.⁠[1]

June 30, 2021Carlisle returns

Carlisle returned as head coach after 13 years in Dallas, where he won the 2011 championship.⁠[7]

September 27, 2021A new arena name

A multiyear partnership between Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Gainbridge renamed the home arena Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The venue also hosts the Indiana Fever.⁠[9]

2022–2024

Haliburton arrived in 2022; Siakam in 2024.⁠[10]

2024Rales’ minority stake

An April report confirmed that Steven Rales held 20% after buying an additional 15% stake. Herb Simon remained the principal owner, with his son Steven serving as alternate governor.⁠[11]