The Indiana Pacers make their second NBA Finals appearance in 2025, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in a battle between two franchises with long championship droughts. While the Pacers have three ABA titles to their name, they have yet to secure an NBA championship since joining the league in 1975.
The drought-breaking 2025 NBA Finals pits the Pacers, who haven’t been to the Finals since 2000, against a Thunder team seeking its first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City. With the series underway, Indiana hopes to capitalize on their second-ever NBA Finals appearance and capture the franchise’s elusive first NBA title.
Pacers NBA Finals history and championship drought
The Indiana Pacers are making just their second NBA Finals appearance since joining the league from the ABA in 1975. Their previous trip to the Finals came in the 1999-2000 season, when they were led by franchise icon Reggie Miller under head coach Larry Bird. In that series, they faced the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, ultimately falling in six games.
O’Neal dominated that series, averaging an incredible 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. Despite strong performances from Miller (24.3 ppg) and Jalen Rose (23.0 ppg), the Pacers couldn’t overcome the Lakers, who went on to win three consecutive championships. That loss extended Indiana’s NBA championship drought, which continues to this day as they seek their first title.
ABA success before joining the NBA
While the Pacers have never won an NBA championship, they were one of the most successful franchises in ABA history before the merger. Indiana captured three ABA titles in a four-year span, winning championships in 1970, 1972, and 1973 under legendary coach Slick Leonard.
Those championship teams featured standout players like Roger Brown, George McGinnis, and Mel Daniels. Both Daniels and McGinnis won MVP awards during the Pacers’ dominant ABA run – Daniels claiming the honor twice and McGinnis once. This history of success in the ABA has created high expectations for the franchise throughout its NBA tenure, making their championship drought all the more notable. The 2025 NBA Finals represents just the second opportunity for the franchise to finally add an NBA championship to their trophy case alongside those ABA titles.
Pacers’ playoff journey and championship near-misses
Throughout their NBA history, the Pacers have had several close calls in their quest for a championship. The franchise has made 38 playoff appearances overall, with 29 of those coming since joining the NBA in 1975. Their playoff resume includes reaching the Eastern Conference Finals 10 times, with multiple heartbreaking defeats.
The 1990s were particularly painful for Pacers fans, as the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals four times in that decade but failed to break through to the NBA Finals. The Pacers lost three of those series in Game 7, coming painfully close to Finals appearances. More recently, the team reached the Conference Finals in 2004, 2013, 2014, and 2024, but fell short each time. The 2024 run ended with a sweep at the hands of the eventual champion Boston Celtics, before their breakthrough to the Finals in 2025.
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