The Indiana Pacers’ passionate fans have waited decades for this moment: the 2025 NBA Finals. It’s the second time the Pacers have reached the pinnacle since entering the league in 1976. Currently playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, it is not just another NBA Final; rather, it is a battle to fulfill that long championship drought, on both sides.
Led by Tyrese Haliburton and head coach Rick Carlisle, the Pacers hope to capitalise on their finals appearance and take home the coveted Larry O’Brien! But before that, let’s find out the last time they were in championship contention, and figure out whether they have won the trophy ever!
Have the Indiana Pacers Ever Won an NBA Championship?
Despite being among the league’s most respected franchises, the Pacers have never won an NBA championship. Since joining the league in 1976, they have made it to the NBA Finals just once, back in the 1999-2000 season. They ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Back then, Reggie Miller led the Pacers, under the guidance of head coach Larry Bird, to fight it out against a strong Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant duo.
June 19, 2000: Los Angeles #Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals for their 1st of 3 consecutive Championships (last team to 3-peat in NBA history)
pic.twitter.com/wxOmv7ZGSb— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 19, 2021
Even as the Pacers posted a strong 56-26 record that season, battling through O’Neal’s domination and Bryant’s tenacity. While the Lakers won three consecutive championships, that particular loss in the Finals meant that the Pacers have been seeking a win to this date, as they now aim for their first title.
Pacers’ Resilient Presence Through the Decades
While the NBA ring has eluded them so far, the Pacers did enjoy success in the pre-merger American Basketball Association, claiming three championships in 1970, 1972, and 1973. At the time, they were under the leadership of their coach, Slick Leonard.
The championship phase included domineering players like Roger Brown, George McGinnis, and Mel Daniels, with Daniels and McGinnis winning MVP awards during the Pacers’ dominant run. Unfortunately, their ABA accolades are not included in the official NBA records.
Indy didn’t simply win the Finals once and disappear from the league’s map. They have managed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals nine times and have consistently been a threat to many teams.
Some of their notable moments include reaching the Conference Finals in 1994-95, 1998-99, 2004-05, and the current NBA season. According to fans across the internet, their legacy makes them one of the most consistent franchises in the league’s history, despite never winning the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Under Rick Carlisle, the Pacers now have a fresh start at basketball’s ultimate prize. For the Pacers, winning this season will validate their resilience and excellence. From their ABA dominance days to near misses in the ’90s and early 2000s, it is their opportunity to shift their narrative.