All Indiana Pacers Finals Appearances & NBA Championship Wins

Established in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), the Indiana Pacers transitioned to the NBA in 1976. Anchored in the city of Indianapolis which is renowned for hosting the prestigious Indy 500 event annually, the team draws its name from the pace cars synonymous with the race.

Following initial struggles, the Pacers' fortunes took a significant turn following the 1987 NBA draft, where they secured their franchise superstar, Reggie Miller, with the 11th overall pick. Miller's arrival heralded a new era of success for the team.

Throughout the 1990s, the Pacers enjoyed sustained prosperity, boasting talents such as Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, and Detlef Schrempf, achieving notable accomplishments. The 2000s witnessed another formidable era for the Pacers, led by Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, and the seasoned Reggie Miller, guiding the team to multiple deep playoff runs.

Currently owned by real estate developer and billionaire Herb Simon, the Pacers call Gainbridge Fieldhouse their home, where they continue to mesmerize hoops fans with their brand of basketball.

Though recent years have seen a period of rebuilding, the Pacers remain committed to their tradition of excellence. Led by emerging talents like Tyrese Haliburton, Benedict Mathurin, and Pascal Siakam, the team is poised to uphold the legacy of success in Indiana basketball.

How many NBA championships have the Indiana Pacers won?

The Indiana Pacers haven't won an NBA championship in their history. Despite having many great teams over the years and clinching nine division titles over the years, the Pacers always fell short of winning a NBA championship.

After their inception in the 1976-1977 season, Pacers struggled for a while but once they drafted Reggie Miller in 1987 NBA draft, they went on to make numerous playoffs from the late 1980s to early 2000s.

However, this Reggie Miller era could not bring NBA championships to the city of Indianapolis. Similarly, in the 2010s, Paul George led the Pacers to great playoff runs but the Pacers could not secure an NBA title.

Indiana Pacers NBA Finals Appearance History

The Indiana Pacers made their first-ever NBA Finals appearance in 2000, marking a historic milestone for the franchise. However, the Indiana Pacers lost the 2000 NBA championship in six games, as they got dominated by the LA Lakers in all aspects of the game.

What teams did the Indiana Pacers lose the NBA Finals against?

The Indiana Pacers lost the only NBA Finals they made in their franchise history. Pacers’ sole appearance in the NBA Finals occurred in 2000, where they lost the NBA finals against Shaq and Kobe led the LA Lakers to a 4-2 series win over the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana Pacers Last NBA Finals Appearance

The Indiana Pacers last NBA Finals appearance was in 2000. In the 2000 NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers battled against Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 1, Shaquille O'Neal's impressive performance led the Lakers to an easy win. Then in Game 2, the Lakers faced adversity as Kobe Bryant suffered an injury, but they managed to prevail with contributions from Ron Harper.

However, in Game 3, the Pacers capitalized on Bryant's absence to secure a crucial win, with Reggie Miller's clutch free throws sealing the victory. Game 4 witnessed a tightly contested matchup, with the Lakers prevailing in overtime despite O'Neal fouling out. Game 5 marked a pivotal moment as the Pacers dominated, securing a resounding victory.

Despite the Pacers' strong performance in Game 6, the Lakers emerged victorious, clinching their first championship in 12 years. Shaquille O'Neal's terrific performances earned him the Finals MVP title.