Indiana Pacers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indiana Pacers |
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| Conference | Eastern | ||||
| Division | Central | ||||
| Founded | 1967 | ||||
| History | Indiana Pacers 1967–1976 (ABA) 1976–present (NBA) |
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| Arena | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | ||||
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana | ||||
| Team colors | Navy blue, gold, gray |
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| Main sponsor | Lucas Oil | ||||
| President | Kevin Pritchard | ||||
| General manager | Chad Buchanan | ||||
| Head coach | Rick Carlisle | ||||
| Ownership | Herb Simon | ||||
| Affiliation(s) | Noblesville Boom | ||||
| Championships | 3 ABA: 3 (1970, 1972, 1973) NBA: 0 |
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| Conference titles | 2 (2000, 2025) | ||||
| Division titles | 9 ABA: 3 (1969, 1970, 1971) NBA: 6 (1995, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2013, 2014) |
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| Retired numbers | 5 (30, 31, 34, 35, 529) | ||||
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The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team from Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Eastern Conference's Central Division. The team started in 1967 as a founding member of the American Basketball Association (ABA). In 1976, they joined the NBA when the ABA and NBA merged. Their home games are played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The team's name comes from Indiana's history with pace cars at the Indianapolis 500 race and the harness racing industry.
The Pacers have won three championships, all in the ABA, in 1970, 1972, and 1973. They also reached the ABA Finals in 1969 and 1975. In the NBA, they made it to the NBA Finals in 2000 and 2025. The team has also won nine division titles.
Many famous players have been part of the Pacers. Six players who played for the Pacers for several seasons are now in the Basketball Hall of Fame. These include Reggie Miller, Chris Mullin, Alex English, Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, and George McGinnis. The team has also had Hall of Fame coaches like Bobby "Slick" Leonard, Jack Ramsay, and Larry Brown.
Contents
- Team History
- Home Arenas
- Team Colors and Uniforms
- Rivalries
- Recent Season Records
- Team Personnel
- Head Coaches
- Team Records and Awards
- Mascot
- Dance Squad
Team History
Early Years: ABA Champions (1967–1976)
In 1967, a group of six investors bought a team in the new American Basketball Association. The Pacers played their first seven years at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum. They also played some playoff games in other places, like high school gyms. In 1974, they moved to the new Market Square Arena in downtown Indianapolis.
Soon after, Bob "Slick" Leonard became the head coach. He quickly made the Pacers a very strong team. Players like Mel Daniels, George McGinnis, and Roger Brown helped the team succeed. The Pacers became the most successful team in ABA history. They won three ABA Championships in just four years. They reached the ABA Finals five times in the league's nine-year history.
Joining the NBA: Tough Times (1976–1987)
The Pacers were one of four ABA teams that joined the NBA in the 1976–77 season. Other teams included the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs. Joining the NBA was expensive for these teams. They had to pay a fee and also help other ABA teams that didn't join the merger. This caused financial problems for the Pacers. They even had to trade some of their best players.
The Pacers finished their first NBA season with a record of 36 wins and 46 losses. Billy Knight and Don Buse were chosen for the NBA All-Star Game. However, the next 13 years were mostly difficult. The team had only two winning seasons and made the playoffs only twice.
The team often traded away good players. For example, in 1980, they traded Alex English to get back George McGinnis. But McGinnis was not as good as he used to be. English, however, became one of the NBA's top scorers. The Pacers also missed out on drafting future stars like Michael Jordan in 1984 because of an earlier trade.
In 1986–87, coach Jack Ramsay led the Pacers to a 41–41 record. This was their second time in the NBA playoffs. Chuck Person, known as "The Rifleman" for his long-range shots, was a rookie star. The Pacers won their first NBA playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks, but lost the series.
The Reggie Miller Era (1987–2005)
Reggie Miller joined the Pacers in 1987. He became a superstar and played his entire 18-year career with the team. The Pacers often made the playoffs during this time. In 1990, Miller became the first Pacer since 1976 to play in the All-Star Game.
Larry Brown's Coaching (1994–1997)
Larry Brown became the Pacers' coach in 1993. The team had a great season in 1993–94, winning 47 games. They won their first NBA playoff series by beating the Orlando Magic. Then, they upset the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks.
In the 1994 Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers played the New York Knicks. In one famous game, Reggie Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter. He even made a "choke" sign gesture to Knicks fan Spike Lee. The Knicks won the series, but Miller's performance was unforgettable.
The Pacers continued to be strong. In 1994–95, they won 52 games and their first Central Division title. They beat the Knicks again in the playoffs. They then played the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals, losing in seven games. The next season, injuries hurt the team, and they missed the playoffs in 1997. Larry Brown then left as coach.
Larry Bird's Coaching (1997–2000)
In 1997, Indiana native and basketball legend Larry Bird became the Pacers' head coach. He led the team to 58 wins, their best record ever in the NBA. Players like Chris Mullin, Dale Davis, and Rik Smits helped the team succeed. Miller and Smits were both All-Stars.
The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference finals in 1998, but lost to the Chicago Bulls in seven games. In the 1998–99 season, which was shorter due to a lockout, the Pacers won their division. They made it to the Eastern Conference finals again, but lost to the Knicks.
In the 1999–2000 season, the Pacers had 56 wins. They finally reached the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. They played against the Los Angeles Lakers, but lost the series in six games.
Isiah Thomas Takes Over (2000–2003)
After the 2000 Finals, many changes happened. Rik Smits and coach Larry Bird retired. Jermaine O'Neal joined the team and became a star. Isiah Thomas became the new head coach. The team still made the playoffs in 2001, but lost to the Philadelphia 76ers.
In 2001–02, the Pacers made a big trade, getting Brad Miller and Ron Artest. Both players later became All-Stars for the Pacers. The team returned to the playoffs in 2002, pushing the New Jersey Nets to five games. In 2002–03, the Pacers started strong, but injuries and suspensions affected them. They still finished with 48 wins but lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Rick Carlisle's First Time as Coach (2003–2007)
In 2003, Larry Bird returned as team president. He hired Rick Carlisle as the new coach. The Pacers had an amazing 2003–04 season, winning 61 games, the best record in the NBA. Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest were All-Stars. Artest was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. The Pacers swept the Boston Celtics and beat the Miami Heat in the playoffs. However, they lost to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals.
The 2004–05 season started with a major incident. During a game against the Detroit Pistons, a fight broke out between players and fans. This event, known as the Malice at the Palace, led to many player suspensions. Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season. Despite these challenges, the Pacers still made the playoffs. They beat the Boston Celtics in the first round. They then faced the Detroit Pistons again, but lost in six games. The final game was Reggie Miller's last NBA game. He scored 27 points and received a standing ovation. Miller retired without an NBA Championship. His No. 31 jersey was retired by the Pacers in 2006.
The Danny Granger Era (2005–2012)
The Pacers drafted Danny Granger in 2005. In 2006, they traded Ron Artest for Peja Stojaković. Despite losing Reggie Miller and dealing with injuries, the Pacers made the playoffs in 2006. They lost to the New Jersey Nets in six games.
The 2006–07 season was one of the team's worst. They had a long losing streak and many injuries. They missed the playoffs for the first time in ten seasons. In 2007, Rick Carlisle was fired, and Jim O'Brien became the new coach. He wanted the team to play a faster style.
Rebuilding the Team (2007–2010)
The Pacers missed the playoffs for two more seasons. However, young players like Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy showed great improvement. In 2009, the Pacers traded Jermaine O'Neal and got Roy Hibbert in return. Hibbert became a two-time All-Star and a strong defensive player.
The 2009–10 season was another tough one, with injuries to players like Tyler Hansbrough. The team missed the playoffs for four years in a row.
Paul George Arrives (2010–2012)
In the 2010 NBA draft, the Pacers drafted Paul George. They also signed Lance Stephenson. In 2010, they acquired Darren Collison and James Posey.
On January 30, 2011, Frank Vogel became the interim head coach. The Pacers made the playoffs in 2011 for the first time since 2006. They lost to the Chicago Bulls in five games. Vogel was then named the permanent head coach. The Pacers also acquired George Hill and signed David West.
In the 2011–12 season, led by Danny Granger, the team finished with a 42–24 record. They won their first playoff series since 2005, beating the Orlando Magic. They then faced the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers took a 2–1 lead, but the Heat won the next three games to win the series.
The Paul George Era (2012–2017)
In 2012, Larry Bird stepped down as president, and Donnie Walsh returned. The Pacers drafted Miles Plumlee and acquired Orlando Johnson. They also added key bench players like Ian Mahinmi.
Championship Hopes (2012–2014)
On April 7, 2013, the Pacers won their first Central Division championship since 2004. They finished the 2012–13 season with 49 wins. They beat the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks in the playoffs. This sent them to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004, where they faced the defending champion Miami Heat. The series was very competitive, going to seven games. The Pacers lost game 7 to the Heat.
In 2013, Larry Bird returned as president. The Pacers added players like C. J. Watson and Luis Scola. The 2013–14 season started very strong, with the Pacers winning 33 of their first 40 games. Paul George and Roy Hibbert were selected for the All-Star Game. However, after the All-Star break, the team struggled. Despite this, they finished with 56 wins and the top seed in the East.
In the 2014 playoffs, the Pacers again faced the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers won game 1, but the Heat ultimately eliminated them in six games. This was the third year in a row the Heat knocked the Pacers out of the playoffs.
George's Injury and Final Seasons (2014–2017)
On August 1, 2014, Paul George suffered a severe leg injury while playing for Team USA. He was expected to miss the entire 2014–15 season. He returned on April 5, 2015, playing 15 minutes. The team missed the playoffs that year. Key players like Roy Hibbert and David West left the team. In the 2015 NBA draft, the Pacers selected Myles Turner.
The Pacers signed Monta Ellis in the off-season. Paul George fully recovered and was an All-Star starter in 2016. The Pacers made the playoffs but lost in game 7 of the first round to the Toronto Raptors. After the season, president Larry Bird decided not to renew head coach Frank Vogel's contract. Nate McMillan was promoted to replace Vogel.
The team acquired new starters Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young. They also brought back fan-favorite Lance Stephenson. The Pacers made the 2017 playoffs but were swept in four games by the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Oladipo and Sabonis Era (2017–2021)
On June 30, 2017, Paul George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Many people criticized this trade at first. However, Oladipo had the best season of his career, winning the NBA Most Improved Player Award. Sabonis also improved greatly. Oladipo was an All-Star in 2018. The Pacers finished the 2017–18 season with 48 wins, a six-game improvement from the previous year. They faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs and lost in seven games.
Nate McMillan, Pacers coach from 2016 until 2020. In the 2018–19 season, Oladipo was an All-Star again. But on January 23, 2019, he suffered a serious leg injury and missed the rest of the season. Despite this, the Pacers still finished with 48 wins and made the playoffs. They were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round.
Before the 2019–20 season, the Pacers added new starters like Malcolm Brogdon and T. J. Warren. Domantas Sabonis had a great season, averaging 18.5 points and 12.4 rebounds. He was named an All-Star for the first time. However, his season ended early due to a foot injury. The NBA season was paused due to a global health crisis. When it restarted in the "NBA Bubble," the Pacers finished with 45 wins. They lost to the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
After the season, the Pacers parted ways with head coach Nate McMillan. Nate Bjorkgren was hired as the new coach. In January 2021, Victor Oladipo was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a big trade that brought Caris LeVert to Indiana. Sabonis earned his second All-Star appearance. The team missed the playoffs in 2021, and Bjorkgren was fired.
Rick Carlisle Returns (2021–Present)
On June 24, 2021, the Pacers announced that Rick Carlisle would return as head coach. He had coached the team before from 2003 to 2007. The team also hired Jenny Boucek, who became the first female assistant coach for the Pacers. In the 2021 NBA draft, the Pacers selected Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson.
The Tyrese Haliburton Era (2022–Present)
The Pacers missed the playoffs in 2022, making it two seasons in a row. During the 2021–22 season, the Pacers traded away key players like Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert. In return, they received young stars like Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Smith, and Aaron Nesmith, along with Buddy Hield and draft picks.
In the 2022 NBA draft, the Pacers selected Bennedict Mathurin sixth overall, their highest pick since 1988. Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard were named 2023 NBA Rising Stars. Tyrese Haliburton was selected for his first NBA All-Star Game in 2023. Haliburton and Buddy Hield also competed in the NBA Three-Point Contest. At the end of the 2022–23 season, Mathurin set a new rookie record for most three-pointers made in Pacers history. Buddy Hield broke Reggie Miller's record for most three-pointers in a single season.
In the 2023 NBA draft, the Pacers acquired Jarace Walker with the eighth pick. In July 2023, Haliburton signed a large contract extension with the Pacers. He also played for the United States national team in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The team also signed Bruce Brown. The Pacers made other moves, acquiring Obi Toppin from the New York Knicks.
The Pacers had a great run in the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament, reaching the finals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.
On January 17, 2024, the Pacers acquired All-Star forward Pascal Siakam in a trade. Haliburton was named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, which was held in Indianapolis.
The Pacers finished the 2023–24 season with 47 wins and the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. In the conference semifinals, they defeated the New York Knicks in a tough seven-game series. They then lost to the Boston Celtics in the conference finals.
On March 27, 2025, the Pacers set a new NBA scoring record by defeating the Washington Wizards 162–109. The Pacers finished the 2024–25 season with 50 wins and the fourth seed. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. They advanced to the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks, winning in six games. Tyrese Haliburton made a game-tying shot in Game 1 and famously imitated Reggie Miller's "choke" sign. The Pacers reached their second NBA Finals in franchise history, where they lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games.
Home Arenas
Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (1967–1974)
The Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum was the Pacers' home from 1967 to 1974. The Pacers were very successful there, winning three ABA Championships. They moved to Market Square Arena in 1974.
Market Square Arena (1974–1999)
Market Square Arena was the Pacers' home from 1974 to 1999. The first regular-season ABA game there was on October 18, 1974. The Pacers lost in double overtime. The 1974–75 season ended with the ABA Finals played in Market Square Arena, where the Pacers lost to the Kentucky Colonels. The Pacers continued to play here after joining the NBA. Michael Jordan's return to the Chicago Bulls after his first retirement happened at Market Square Arena in 1995. The last Pacers game there was a pre-season game in 1999.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse (1999–Present)
The Indiana Pacers play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which opened in 1999. It's located in downtown Indianapolis. The arena was first known as Conseco Fieldhouse. It was renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and then Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2021. It's considered one of the best arenas in the NBA. It seats 18,165 fans for basketball games. Gainbridge Fieldhouse is also home to the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
The Fieldhouse has hosted many important basketball events. These include the Big Ten men's basketball tournament and games for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. It also hosted the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Team Colors and Uniforms
The Indiana Pacers' main colors are navy blue, gold (yellow), cool gray, and white. Their original blue and yellow colors came from the Flag of Indiana. They usually wear white uniforms at home and blue uniforms on the road. They also have a yellow uniform they wear sometimes.
From 1990 to 1997, the Pacers wore famous pinstripe uniforms. These jerseys were designed by track and field athlete Florence Griffith-Joyner and were called "Flo-Jos" by fans. In 2015, the Pacers wore special maroon and gold "Hickory" uniforms. These were based on the fictional high school team from the movie Hoosiers. In 2017, the Pacers unveiled new uniforms and logos when the NBA partnered with Nike.
Rivalries
Detroit Pistons
The rivalry between the Pacers and Pistons became very strong in the 2000s. They first met in the 1990 playoffs, where the Pistons swept the Pacers. The rivalry really heated up in the 2003–04 season. The Pacers had the best record in the league, led by Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest. The Pistons were led by Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace. Both teams were coached by former Pacers coaches.
They met in the 2004 Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers won game 1, but the Pistons won the series 4–2 and went on to win the NBA title.
On November 19, 2004, a famous fight, known as the Malice at the Palace, happened during a game between the two teams. Several players were suspended for a long time after a fight involving fans. Ron Artest received the longest suspension in NBA history for an on-court incident.
The teams met again in the 2005 playoffs. The Pacers fought hard, but the Pistons won the series.
New York Knicks
The Knicks–Pacers Rivalry has been a big deal since 1977. In the 1990s, the Knicks and Pacers were always strong playoff teams. They played each other in the playoffs six times between 1993 and 2000. This rivalry was famous for the battles between Reggie Miller and Knicks fan Spike Lee. The Pacers had players like Miller, Rik Smits, and Mark Jackson. The Knicks had stars like Patrick Ewing and John Starks.
The Knicks and Pacers met again in the 2013 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers, led by Paul George and David West, upset the Knicks.
The teams faced off again in the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton, defeated the Knicks in a thrilling seven-game series.
Miami Heat
The Pacers and Miami Heat first met in the 2004 NBA playoffs. The Pacers won that series. However, a true rivalry began in the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals. The series was very physical, with many fouls and arguments between players. The Heat won the series and went on to win the 2012 NBA Championship.
The next season, the Heat and Pacers met again in the 2013 Eastern Conference finals. This series was also very intense and physical. The Heat won the series in seven games and became the 2013 NBA Champions.
In the 2014 NBA playoffs, the Pacers and Heat played each other in the Eastern Conference finals for the third year in a row. The Pacers had home-court advantage, but the Heat eliminated them again in six games.
The two teams met again in the 2020 NBA playoffs. The Heat swept the Pacers in the first round.
Recent Season Records
Here's how the Pacers have done in their last five seasons:
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage
| Season | GP | W | L | W–L% | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 72 | 34 | 38 | .472 | 2nd, Central | Did not qualify |
| 2021–22 | 82 | 25 | 57 | .305 | 4th, Central | Did not qualify |
| 2022–23 | 82 | 35 | 47 | .427 | 4th, Central | Did not qualify |
| 2023–24 | 82 | 47 | 35 | .573 | 3rd, Central | Lost in conference finals, 0–4 (Celtics) |
| 2024–25 | 82 | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2nd, Central | Lost in NBA Finals, 3–4 (Thunder) |
Team Personnel
Current Roster
Retired Numbers
The Pacers have retired five jersey numbers to honor important players and a coach.
| No. | Player | Position | Years with Team | Date Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | George McGinnis | Forward | 1971–1975, 1980–1982 | November 2, 1985 |
| 31 | Reggie Miller | Guard | 1987–2005 | March 30, 2006 |
| 34 | Mel Daniels | Center | 1968–1974 | November 2, 1985 |
| 35 | Roger Brown | Forward | 1967–1974, 1975 | November 2, 1985 |
| 529 | Bobby Leonard | Coach | 1968–1980 | March 15, 1996 |
Notes:
- The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its teams on August 11, 2022.
Basketball Hall of Famers
Many players and coaches who were part of the Pacers have been honored in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
| No. | Name | Position | Years with Team | Inducted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Alex English | Forward | 1978–1980 | 1997 |
| 17 | Chris Mullin | Forward/Guard | 1997–2000 | 2011 |
| 34 | Mel Daniels | Center | 1968–1974 | 2012 |
| 31 | Reggie Miller | Guard | 1987–2005 | 2012 |
| 1 35 |
Roger Brown | Forward/Guard | 1967–1974, 1975 | 2013 |
| 30 | George McGinnis | Forward | 1971–1975, 1980–1982 | 2017 |
| No. | Name | Position | Years with Team | Inducted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Jack Ramsay | Head coach | 1986–1988 | 1992 |
| N/A | Larry Brown | Head coach | 1993–1997 | 2002 |
| 529 | Bobby Leonard | Head coach | 1968–1980 | 2014 |
Head Coaches
The Pacers have had 13 head coaches. Bobby Leonard has the most wins, with 529 victories in 12 seasons. Other notable coaches include Larry Brown, who led the team to many playoff appearances, and Larry Bird, who coached the Pacers to their first NBA Finals in 2000.
Rick Carlisle is currently the head coach, returning for his second time with the team in 2021.
Team Records and Awards
Franchise Leaders in Points (Regular Season)
Bold means the player is still active with the team. Italic means the player is still active but not with the team.
- Reggie Miller (25,279 points)
- Rik Smits (12,871 points)
- Billy Knight (10,780 points)
- Roger Brown (10,058 points)
- Jermaine O'Neal (9,580 points)
- Danny Granger (9,571 points)
- George McGinnis (9,545 points)
- Vern Fleming (9,535 points)
- Mel Daniels (9,314 points)
- Freddie Lewis (9,257 points)
- Chuck Person (9,096 points)
- Myles Turner (9,031 points)
- Herb Williams (8,637 points)
- Paul George (8,090 points)
- Bob Netolicky (8,078 points)
Other Team Leaders (Regular Season)
- Most Minutes Played: Reggie Miller (47,619)
- Most Rebounds: Mel Daniels (7,643)
- Most Assists: Reggie Miller (4,141)
- Most Steals: Reggie Miller (1,505)
- Most Blocks: Myles Turner (1,412)
NBA Individual Awards
- NBA Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player: Pascal Siakam (2025)
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Ron Artest (2004)
- NBA Rookie of the Year: Chuck Person (1987)
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year: Detlef Schrempf (1991, 1992)
- NBA Most Improved Player: Jalen Rose (2000), Jermaine O'Neal (2002), Danny Granger (2009), Paul George (2013), Victor Oladipo (2018)
- NBA Coach of the Year: Jack McKinney (1981), Larry Bird (1998)
- NBA Executive of the Year: Larry Bird (2012)
- All-NBA Third Team: Reggie Miller (1995, 1996, 1998), Jermaine O'Neal (2002, 2003), Ron Artest (2004), Paul George (2013, 2014, 2016), Victor Oladipo (2018), Tyrese Haliburton (2024, 2025)
- NBA All-Defensive First Team: Don Buse (1977), Ron Artest (2004), Paul George (2014), Victor Oladipo (2018)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: Clark Kellogg (1983), Steve Stipanovich (1984), Chuck Person (1987), Rik Smits (1989), Bennedict Mathurin (2023)
- NBA Annual Assists Leaders: Don Buse (1977), Mark Jackson (1997), Tyrese Haliburton (2024)
- NBA Annual Steals Leaders: Don Buse (1977), Victor Oladipo (2018)
- NBA Annual Blocks Leaders: Myles Turner (2019, 2021)
- NBA 50–40–90 Club: Reggie Miller (1994)
ABA Individual Awards
- ABA Most Valuable Player Award: Mel Daniels (1969, 1971), George McGinnis (1975)
- ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player: Roger Brown (1970), Freddie Lewis (1972), George McGinnis (1973)
- ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award: Mel Daniels (1971)
- All-ABA First Team: Mel Daniels (1969, 1970, 1971), Roger Brown (1971), George McGinnis (1974, 1975), Billy Knight (1976)
NBA All-Star Weekend Honors
- NBA All-Star selections: Many Pacers players have been All-Stars, including Reggie Miller (5 times), Jermaine O'Neal (6 times), Paul George (4 times), Victor Oladipo (2 times), Domantas Sabonis (2 times), and Tyrese Haliburton (2 times).
- NBA All-Star Eastern Conference Head Coach: Larry Bird (1998), Isiah Thomas (2003), Rick Carlisle (2004), Frank Vogel (2014)
- NBA Rising Stars Challenge Most Valuable Player: Bennedict Mathurin (2024)
- NBA Skills Challenge: Domantas Sabonis (2020, 2021), Myles Turner (2024), Bennedict Mathurin (2024), Tyrese Haliburton (2024)
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Fred Jones (2004), Glenn Robinson III (2017)
Mascot
Boomer, the Pacers Panther, has been the team's official mascot since the 1991–1992 season. Boomer is known for his high-flying dunks and dance moves. He has performed at many NBA All-Star Games. He used to have a partner named Bowser, a dog mascot, who retired in 2009–10.
Dance Squad
The Indiana Pacemates are the team's professional dance squad. They were founded in 1967, the same year as the Pacers. They were one of the first professional sports dance squads and the first in the NBA.
