Indiana Pacers Team For NBA In-Season Tournament 2023 | Squad, Schedule & More
Indiana Pacers is an American professional basketball team which is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana Pacers Team was established in 1967 as an original American Basketball Association (ABA) member and became NBA members in 1976. Their home games are played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and are named after Indiana’s history with the Indianapolis 500’s pace cars and harness racing industry.
The Pacers have won three championships in the ABA, reached the ABA Finals in 1969 and 1975, and were NBA Eastern Conference Champions in 2000. They have also won nine division titles. Indiana Pacers team has six Hall of Fame players, coaches Bobby “Slick” Leonard, Jack Ramsay, and Larry Brown. Former Pacers have been inducted into international Halls of Fame.
Indiana Pacers are going to compete in Eastern Conference Group A for the NBA In-Season Tournament. In this group stage, they will face formidable opponents including the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Detroit Pistons. These matchups promise to be intense battles as these teams strive for supremacy in the tournament. The Pacers will need to bring their A-game to secure victories against such formidable competition.
Quick Overview of Indiana Pacers Team
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | Central |
| Founded | 1967 |
| History | Indiana Pacers (1967–1976 ABA, 1976–present NBA) |
| Arena | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Team Colors | Navy blue, gold, cool gray |
| Main Sponsor | Motorola |
| President | Kevin Pritchard |
| General Manager | Chad Buchanan |
| Head Coach | Rick Carlisle |
| Ownership | Herbert Simon |
| Affiliation(s) | Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
| Championships | ABA: 3 (1970, 1972, 1973), NBA: 0 |
| Conference Titles | 1 (2000) |
| Division Titles | ABA: 3 (1969, 1970, 1971), NBA: 6 (1995, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2013, 2014) |
| Retired Numbers | 5 (30, 31, 34, 35, 529) |
Indiana Pacers Schedule for NBA In Season Schedule 2023
| Matchup | Conference | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland vs. Indiana | East A | 7 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 3 |
| Indiana vs. Philadelphia | East A | 7 p.m. | Tuesday, Nov. 14 |
| Indiana vs. Atlanta | East A | 7:30 p.m. | Tuesday, Nov. 21 |
| Detroit vs. Indiana | East A | 8 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 24 |
Indiana Pacers Franchise History
Early NBA Struggles
Indiana Pacers, one of four ABA teams that joined the NBA in the 1976 ABA-NBA merger, faced financial troubles and had to compensate the Spirits of St. Louis and Kentucky Colonels. Pacers finished their first NBA season with a record of 36-46, with only two non-losing seasons and two playoff appearances.
They traded away players like Knight and Buse before the 1977-78 season, acquiring Adrian Dantley in exchange for Knight. The early Pacers faced two of the most one-sided trades in NBA history, trading Alex English to the Nuggets to get back former ABA star George McGinnis and 1984 draft pick to Portland Trail Blazers for center Tom Owens. The Pacers ended with the worst record in the Eastern Conference in 1983-84, leaving them as bystanders in one of the deepest drafts in NBA history.
The Pacers drafted Clark Kellogg in 1982 and finished at second place in the Rookie of the Year voting. Jack Ramsay replaced George Irvine as coach, leading the Pacers to a 41-41 record in 1986-87 and their second playoff game as an NBA team.
Back–to–back Eastern Conference Finals appearances
In the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers trailed the Knicks by 15 points, but Reggie Miller scored 25 points in Game 5 to lead them to a come-from-behind victory. Miller was a tri-captain of the USA Basketball team that won a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.
Indiana Pacers Team enjoyed a 52-30 campaign, their first Central Division title and 50+ win season since the ABA days, and showed the Magic to seven games before drawing in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Injury-plagued seasons
In 1995-96, Indiana Pacers duplicated their 52-30 record but suffered an injury to Reggie Miller’s eye socket, preventing him from returning until Game 5. The team defeated the Chicago Bulls twice but struggled with injuries and Mark Jackson’s absence. The Pacers finished 39-43, that’s why they missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years, leading to coach Larry Brown’s resignation.
2017–2020: The Oladipo & Sabonis era
In 2017, Paul George was traded to Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, leading to a successful season for the Indiana Pacers Team. Oladipo improved his points, steals, assists, and rebounds, earning the NBA Most Improved Player Award. Sabonis also improved his points, rebounds, and assists.
Indiana Pacers team welcomed back former Pacer Darren Collison and newcomers Bojan Bogdanović and Cory Joseph. The Pacers finished the season with a 48-34 record, ranking fifth in the Eastern Conference. In 2019, they signed new players, including Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, T. J. Warren, and Jeremy Lamb. The team was invited to the NBA Bubble and finished the 2019–2020 regular season with a 45-28 record.
2020–present: Rebuilding era
Indiana Pacers parted ways with head coach Nate McMillan after a loss to the Heat. Nate Bjorkgren signed a multi-year deal as the next head coach. Victor Oladipo was traded to the Houston Rockets, and James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
Oshae Brissett signed this year. Their season ended in a loss to the Washington Wizards. The Pacers fired Bjorkgren on June 9, 2021. Rick Carlisle was hired as the next head coach, and the team brought in former assistants Jenny Boucek and Mike Weinar.
2022–present: Tyrese Haliburton era
The Pacers failed to qualify for the 2022 NBA Playoffs with a 25-57 record, marking the first time the team failed to reach the playoffs for consecutive seasons since 2007-10. They traded away core players and received first-round draft picks, including Buddy Hield, Daniel Theis, Tristan Thompson, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Smith, and Aaron Nesmith. Bennedict Mathurin was drafted 6th overall and named 2023 NBA Rising Stars.
The team acquired future second-round picks in exchange for Juan Pablo Vaulet. The Pacers also traded Bilal Coulibaly 7th overall and Jarace Walker 8th overall, becoming the highest-drafted prospect from the University of Houston since 1984.
2023–24 Indiana Pacers season
Indiana Pacers Team will be in their 47th season in the NBA, with Rick Carlisle returning as head coach. The team hired former Pacers Jim Boylen and Shayne Whittington as assistants. Jarace Walker was acquired in the 2023 NBA Draft, and Tyrese Haliburton agreed to a max contract extension worth up to $260 million over five years. The team also acquired Obi Toppin and Bruce Brown during the offseason.
Indiana Pacers Home arenas
Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (1967–1974)
The Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum hosted the Pacers from 1967 to 1974, winning three ABA Championships. The team moved to Market Square Arena in 1974 and became an NBA franchise in 1976 after the ABA merged with the NBA.
Market Square Arena (1974–1999)
Market Square Arena was home to the Indiana Pacers from 1974 to 1999. The first game was a preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks, with a crowd of 16,929. The first regular-season ABA game was against the San Antonio Spurs in 1974. The Pacers won their first game in October with a 122-107 win over the Spirits of St. Louis. Indiana Pacers team continued to play in Market Square Arena after joining the NBA, with Michael Jordan’s return in 1995.
Conseco, Bankers Life, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse (1999–present)
The Indiana Pacers play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a famous arena in downtown Indianapolis. Originally known as Conseco Fieldhouse, it was renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2021. The arena seats 18,165 for basketball games and is home to the Indiana Fever, owned by Herb Simon. It has hosted the Big Ten men’s and NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments and hosts concerts and philanthropic events.
Indiana Pacers Owner
Indiana Pacers, a stalwart in the NBA, are under the ownership of Herbert Simon. As the guiding force behind the team, Simon plays a pivotal role in shaping the Pacers’ journey in the league. His vision and commitment to the franchise are integral in driving the team’s success on and off the court. Simon’s stewardship reflects in the Pacers’ performance, making him a significant figure in the world of professional basketball.
Indiana Pacers Logo
Indiana Pacers boast a distinctive logo that encapsulates the spirit of the team. It features a dynamic basketball poised above a stylized depiction of the state of Indiana. With its bold use of navy blue and gold, the logo exudes a sense of strength and determination, reflecting the team’s competitive edge on the court. The incorporation of the state’s outline reinforces the Pacers’ deep-rooted connection to Indiana, instilling a sense of pride in fans and players alike.
Indiana Pacers Kit Jersey
Indiana Pacers Team uniforms feature navy blue, gold, gray, and white. Their home kit is white with blue and gold accents, while the away kit is predominantly blue with yellow details. They also have a yellow alternate uniform with blue elements. The team notably wore pinstripe uniforms from 1997 to 2005. In 2015, they honored the film “Hoosiers” with a Maroon and Gold “Hickory” uniform, celebrating Indiana’s basketball legacy. These uniforms are a visual record of the team’s evolution.
Indiana Pacers Coaching Staff in 2023-24
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle announced that assistant coach Ronald Nored will join the Atlanta Hawks staff under head coach Quin Snyder. Nored, a former college player, has been a strong assistant for the Pacers and has a strong connection with Indiana Pacers team. Nored’s front-of-the-bench position will be taken by Jenny Boucek, who joined the Pacers simultaneously as Nored. Behind the bench, Jim Boylen, who was an assistant with the Pacers in 2011-12, will be the new assistant coach.
The Pacers have promoted two new assistant coaches, Isaac Yacob and Martin Tombe, following Calbert Cheaney’s departure and the Indiana Hoosiers’ promotion of Isaac Yacob. The new coaching staff for the 2023-24 season is now complete, but the roster is still changing free agency. The Pacers are considering the roles of their new assistants and the new staff structure, which could have positive implications.
Indiana Pacers Sponsors
The Indiana Pacers, an American professional basketball team, are the twenty-second most valued franchise in the NBA, worth $1.52 billion, according to Forbes 2020. They have a strong presence through various sponsorship deals, maximizing exposure and return on investment.
Official Partner
Socios.com, a blockchain provider, has partnered with the Indiana Pacers as their Official Partner, providing visibility, branding, and sponsoring in post-match photo galleries and fan polls.
Official Jersey Sponsor
In 2018, the Pacers partnered with Motorola for a multi-year deal, becoming their first-ever jersey patch sponsor and presenting partner for the team’s official mobile application.
Indiana Pacers PartnershipsÂ
New Naming Partner
The Indiana Pacers Bankers Life Fieldhouse has been renamed Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the 2021/22 NBA season, with Gainbridge, a self-managed digital platform, as the new naming partner. The partnership aims to expand Gainbridge’s brand and improve the lives of children and families in the Indiana region.
Mobile Partner
GameOn partnered with Indiana Pacers in November 2020 to create new fan experiences via Facebook Messenger, allowing fans to stay updated with team news, highlights, and player insights.
Official Beer Partner
Indiana Pacers partner with Yuengling for craft beer, offering creative branding opportunities. Yuengling Flight Deck will feature 18 televisions and on-court action, opening in time for the 2021-2022 season as part of Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 2 renovations.
Official Sports Gaming Partner
In August 2020, the Pacers partnered with global sportsbook operator PointsBet for a multi-year deal, displaying their logo in the ‘Apron’ area, phone charging stations, scorer’s tables, and digital platforms.
