The Indiana Pacers have finally broken a 25-year drought by reaching the NBA Finals, overcoming a rough start to their season and defying expectations that didn’t see them as title contenders. Now, they face the Oklahoma City Thunder, aiming to erase decades of near-misses and disappointments by winning the championship.
Tyrese Haliburton, reflecting on the franchise’s long wait for Finals success, said, “This is really special. I wasn’t even six months old the last time this happened. Many fans my age have never seen the team succeed, so we’re trying to make this a special place for people to come and support.”
Basketball is deeply ingrained in Indiana’s culture, where championship teams are celebrated like royalty and players and coaches become local legends. Yet, the Pacers’ history hasn’t always been one of glory. Since joining the NBA, the franchise has often been labeled as “snake-bitten,” facing numerous setbacks in its 48 years in the league.
After winning three ABA titles, the Pacers struggled financially and had to rely on a telethon in 1977 to stay afloat. Their first decade in the NBA saw just a single playoff appearance, which ended with a quick exit. Fans even booed the decision to draft Reggie Miller over hometown favorite Steve Alford in 1987. The 1990s offered hope, but the team’s path to a title was blocked by powerhouses like Michael Jordan’s Bulls and Patrick Ewing’s Knicks. A promising run in 2000 was dashed by the dominant Lakers team led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Though Miller remained a strong presence, it took another 25 years for the Pacers to return to the Finals.
This current Pacers team has overcome its own challenges, knocking out tough opponents like the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, and their rivals, the New York Knicks. Their Finals run kicks off Thursday in Oklahoma City.
The expectations have changed a lot since 25 years ago. After the 1999-2000 season, Donnie Walsh rebuilt the roster around a younger group supporting Miller. The 2003-04 season saw the Pacers achieve the league’s best record, but they fell in the conference finals to Detroit. Then came the infamous “Malice at the Palace” brawl in 2004, resulting in long suspensions that ended Miller’s championship hopes and plunged the franchise into decline.
The years that followed saw a string of injuries and setbacks. Danny Granger’s career was cut short by knee problems, Paul George suffered a devastating leg injury and was eventually traded, and All-Star Victor Oladipo also left due to injury concerns.
Myles Turner has witnessed many of those ups and downs. His recent emotional celebration with Reggie Miller and Nancy Leonard, widow of legendary coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard, symbolized the joy of finally reaching this milestone.
Turner, while an important player, wasn’t the centerpiece of the team’s rebuild, which began under president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard in the 2021-22 season. Pritchard made key moves trading All-Star Domantas Sabonis for Tyrese Haliburton, acquiring Aason Nesmith, and later bringing in Pascal Siakam, forming the team’s strong core.
Though fans initially doubted the new direction, the Pacers have established a fast-paced, high-scoring style reminiscent of their ABA roots, blending basketball with the speed and excitement associated with Indiana’s auto racing heritage.
Siakam, a championship winner with Toronto, embraced the underdog role, saying, “The pace fits how I play. We’re underestimated, and I like that because that’s who I’ve always been.”
The Pacers enter the Finals as underdogs against the Thunder, a team that Paul George joined years ago. While former ABA teams San Antonio and Denver have won NBA titles, Indiana could become the only franchise to win championships in both leagues if they capture the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Rick Carlisle, who coached Dallas to the 2010-11 title, warned against complacency, saying, “Getting to the Finals is an accomplishment, but now it’s all or nothing. Both teams have one goal, and that mindset is crucial.”
The Pacers now stand on the brink of a historic breakthrough — after decades of struggle, they have the chance to bring a championship back home.
