The Pacers are on the brink of achieving their first NBA title, just two wins away with only a couple of games left in the Finals. This is the closest they’ve come to winning it all since their last NBA Finals appearance in Indianapolis twenty-five years ago, where they faced a challenging 3-1 deficit in the 2000 finals.
And, really—Shaq, Kobe—it wasn’t quite that close. That was ages ago.
Right now, there’s not much enthusiasm about celebrating the Indiana Pacers’ basketball title history. Nobody seems eager to recognize the ABA championships from 1970, 1972, and 1973 as comparable to obtaining an NBA championship ring. While the Pacers were undoubtedly one of the top teams in the ABA during those years, the reality is, they played in front of about 8,000 fans a game, and that was half a century ago.
Back in November 2004, kids at home on a Friday night were glued to ESPN watching the Pistons and Pacers. They were just tired of blowing through yet another Grand Theft Auto after school. Parents often reminded them to tidy up their games as summer approached. Fall also marked twenty years since the infamous brawl at The Palace, yet that memory has faded for many.
Generally, people view the Pacers as a decent team, consistently competing but falling short when it matters most. It’s as if those pushing to acknowledge the ABA banners are still yearning for the current NBA Pacers to push through and snag that elusive NBA title—using, of course, that boring orange ball.
Until that day comes, the Indiana Fever (WNBA) has at least managed to make an impression with their finals appearances in 2009 and 2015, and of course, winning it all in 2012. Locally, people seem less excited about the Pacers’ playoff journey, especially since the Colts seem to be struggling just to secure a few decent drafts, while other teams are off celebrating Super Bowl victories.
On another note, the Pacers haven’t quite made their mark in recent years. Metta World Peace celebrated championships elsewhere, while Reggie Miller was more concerned about his fast food breakfast than the team. The Pacers made the playoffs around seven of eight years between 2011 and 2018 but couldn’t secure the wins needed.
Then there’s Paul George. Back in 2017, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, leaving behind Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, who had joined the Pacers. It’s curious—George’s departure in 2018 didn’t help matters.
Oladipo soon faced serious injuries, and his backcourt partner decided retirement was better than the million-dollar offers on the table. The Pacers did trade for Tyrese Haliburton to try and reshape their future, but it seems the city of Indianapolis has grown disinterested again, especially with national narratives attributing their past playoff success to opponents’ injuries.
Since then, various pitches emerged to re-engage Pacer fans, but Indiana found itself embarrassed against Milwaukee. Even the Knicks drew more attention with their revitalized culture.
Sports conversations haven’t exactly been uplifting for Indianapolis lately. Some even criticize the shift in fandom, questioning the future spirit of their NBA team as owners make money moves. What does that mean for fans?
The home arena does have its charm—small but vibrant, with no bad sightlines. Even the scoreboard gets a nod of approval. The energy inside often matches—if not exceeds—crowds in places like Oklahoma City. Fans participate in roaring chants during tense moments, and there’s an undeniable excitement as they experience the game.
Recently, a little fun erupted when Pat McAfee made an entrance to the arena—something reminiscent of Indiana’s grand sports history, not unlike what Bob Knight used to create with his lively antics.
The city has deep roots, possibly too deep to be uprooted easily. With heightened excitement during Game 3, national viewers caught a glimpse of how engaged Indy is for sports once again.
There’s even a memorial for Elvis nearby, honoring one of his iconic concerts in Indianapolis. It’s said that many band members fell ill after that show—another glimpse of the city’s vibrant past.
The journey of the Pacers hasn’t been easy, and challenges loomed large when Pacer Bob “Slick” Leonard and his wife Nancy had to save the team from financial troubles back in 1977. They leveraged community involvement and extensive efforts to keep the team afloat.
If their fundraising efforts hadn’t panned out, who knows what might’ve happened? Maybe Indianapolis would have seen a different NBA landscape or lost its team to another city entirely.
When the Pacers struggled financially, numerous local businesses and individuals rallied to raise substantial funds to meet immediate financial obligations. This urgent season ticket drive gave the team a fighting chance and showcased community support.
Bob Leonard, the own coach and manager at the time, expressed the pressure of trying to pull together a quick turnaround.
With creditors knocking at the door, the telethon became a last-ditch effort to secure the club’s future.
If that telethon had failed, the Pacers might have vanished from the city entirely. As Indianapolis holds its breath for a miracle, perhaps other opportunities could arise. Will the Irsays look to tidy things up? What’s next for the NCAA and how does it fit in?
In the end, basketball is still a core part of Indianapolis. As the NBA Finals unfold, there’s a blend of hope and tension among the fans. On the night of Game 3, the crowd felt the electric anticipation and reflected on what it means to win together.
The Pacers may not be the most decorated team in history, but they have a story, filled with ups and downs. It’s part of what makes the NBA so fascinating—teams that may not be the best can still surprise and resonate deeply with their supporters.
As the season unfolds, it’ll be interesting to see how the current squad performs and if they can create a new legacy for Indiana basketball.
