Established
1967
City
Indianapolis
League History
1977 – Present / National Basketball Association
1967 – 1976 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1967 – Present / Indiana Pacers
Nickname
Pacers – The Indiana Pacers have been a part of the NBA since 1967, and their name has become synonymous with basketball in Hoosier State. But where did this nickname come from? Let’s look at how one of the most iconic teams in professional sports got its unique moniker.
Indiana Pacers Origin
The origin story behind “Pacers” is quite simple: it was chosen by team founder Dick Tinkham as an homage to Indiana's rich racing heritage. The Indianapolis 500 had already made auto racing famous throughout much of America, so when Tinkham wanted to give his new franchise an identity that all Hoosiers could embrace, he decided on “Pacers”—a reference to race cars and harness horses alike!
Since then, the Pacers have embodied this spirit through their fast-paced style of play on the court and commitment off it to giving back to local communities across Indiana; they even host events such as "Pacer Fan Nights" for fans who want to get closer than ever before with their favorite players! With over 50 years under its belt now, there can be no doubt that the nickname has served them well—and will continue doing so into future generations too.
Championship
NBA Championships 0
ABA Championships 3
1973, 1972, 1970
Arena
2012 – Present / Bankers Life Fieldhouse
1999 – 2011 / Conseco Fieldhouse
1974 – 1999 / Market Square Arena
1967 – 1974 / Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum
Owner
1983 – Present / Herbert Simon
1967 – 1983 / Richard Tinkham, John DeVoe, Chuck DeVoe, Chuck Barnes and Bob Collins
- 1967
- 1970
- 1972
- 1973
- 1987
-
Pacers Team Formation
In early 1967, a group of six investors among them attorney Richard Tinkham, John DeVoe, Chuck DeVoe, sports agent Chuck Barnes and Indianapolis Star sports writer Bob Collins pooled their resources to purchase a franchise in the proposed American Basketball Association. For their first seven years, they played in the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum. In 1974, they moved to the ... -
ABA Finals Winner 1970
The 1970 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association’s 1969 – 1970 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Stars, four games to two in the ABA Finals. The Indiana Pacers finished the season with the league’s best regular-season record (59-25, .702) before going on ... -
ABA Finals Winner 1972
The 1972 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association’s 1971 – 1972 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Nets, four games to two in the 1972 ABA Finals. The Kentucky Colonels, despite finishing the season with the best record in the history of the ... -
ABA Finals Winner 1973
The 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association’s 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals. The teams with the three best records in the ABA that year failed to win the championship. The Carolina Cougars ... -
Reggie Miller Drafted
Reggie Miller was drafted by the Pacers in 1987, beginning his career as a backup to John Long. Many fans at the time disagreed with Miller’s selection over Indiana Hoosiers’ standout Steve Alford. The Pacers missed the playoffs in 1987 – 1988, drafted Rik Smits in the 1988 NBA draft, and suffered through a disastrous 1988 – 1989 season in ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
The Intriguing Saga of Indiana Pacers' Evolution
Dive into the fascinating journey of the Indiana Pacers in this in-depth team history exploration! From their humble beginnings to becoming a powerhouse in the NBA, discover the key moments, players, and decisions that shaped the evolution of this iconic franchise. Join us as we unravel the intriguing saga of the Indiana Pacers' evolution and how they have carved their unique place in basketball history. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a new follower, this video is a must-watch for anyone curious about the rich history of the Pacers.
Indiana Pacers History
Indiana Pacers Achievements
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Retired Number
30 / George McGinnis
31 / Reggie Miller
34 / Mel Daniels
35 / Roger Brown
529 / Bobby Leonard
*Blue is this team’s history