With two Eastern Conference Finals appearances in the past two seasons, the Pacers are enjoying a renaissance of sorts in the mid-2020s.
Indiana might not have the biggest names scattered across its roster. But it has been healthy, efficient and boisterous since Rick Carlisle returned to the sideline. Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam lead a gifted group of two-way artisans, all of whom have yet to surpass 33 years of age.
Haliburton’s displays have the basketball world talking. His clutch exploits have made him an instant legend among basketball enthusiasts. They also call to mind another Pacers sharpshooter of years gone by: Reggie Miller.
Miller is the measuring stick by which other Indiana talents are held up to. He secured a host of accolades during his 18-year tenure in Indianapolis, including three All-NBA third-team placements and five All-Star selections. And yet, none were more important — at least not from a team perspective — than his sole NBA Finals appearance with his beloved side.
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With that, here’s what you need to know about Indiana’s history in the NBA Finals.
When is the last time the Pacers made the NBA Finals?
Indiana has three world titles to its name. They all happened to take place when the franchise was housed in the ABA; Jon Verga, George McGinnis, Roger Brown and Mel Daniels led the side to victories in the 1970, 1972 and 1973 ABA Finals.
Since joining the NBA’s banner in 1976, the Pacers are yet to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Their closest encounter with the heirloom came in 2000, the year they made the NBA Finals.
Indiana’s roster featured a formidable cast of characters. Larry Bird’s crew was led by then-12-year veterans Miller and Mark Jackson. 27-year old Jalen Rose enjoyed the best season of his still burgeoning career, increasing his production across the board en route to earning MVP votes and a Most Improved Player nod.
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Rounding out the roster were a smattering of quality role players, including Dale Davis, Rik Smits, Austin Croshere and Travis Best. While lacking an MVP-caliber talent, the Pacers blitzed past opponents, leading the league in offensive rating while posting a 56-26 record, the second-best mark in the league.
Indiana wasn’t quite dominant in its opening three rounds; the Pacers got all they could handle from an upstart Bucks squad in the first round before setting the 76ers and Knicks aside in six games each.
In the Finals, Indiana was greeted by a hulking adversary: the Lakers and their network of constellations.
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Shaquille O’Neal claimed his sole MVP award after recording 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.0 blocks. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Kobe Bryant enjoyed his first truly great season, tallying 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks en route to second-team All-NBA and first-team All-Defense appearances.
Los Angeles raced out to a 2-0 lead courtesy of a pair of O’Neal 40-point outings. Indiana downed the Lakers in Game 3, setting up a decisive Game 4 to determine the shape and contour of the series.
The two sides jousted like knights atop the glinting Conseco Fieldhouse hardwood. Miller and O’Neal were prizefighters, authoring up dueling 30+ point showings. Smits and Bryant were similarly effective, recording 24- and 28-point outings, respectively.
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After 48 minutes, the match remained tied, setting up overtime. In that five-minute universe, Bryant erupted, swiftly recording 10 points to push Los Angeles up three with five seconds left. After sinking a technical free throw to cut the Lakers’ advantage to two, Miller got a clean look from deep.
But he clanked his effort, delivering a momentous victory to Los Angeles.
Indiana recovered to force Game 6. But O’Neal’s might was too much to overcome — Diesel recorded a 41-point, 12-rebound, 4-block double-double to lead the Lakers to their first title since 1988.
O’Neal took home Finals MVP honors. To date, he’s one of six players to record at least three 40-point showings in a single NBA Finals.
The Pacers have tallied five more Eastern Conference Finals in the 25 years since their last Finals appearance. But all have ended in ashes, seeing the side fall just short of basketball’s highest-profile spectacle.
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With Haliburton and Siakam running the show, though, that might not be the case for much longer.
