The Pacers' 25-Year Finals Drought Is over. Now They're Looking to Overcome Their Snake-Bitten History
- The Indiana Pacers ended a 25-year NBA Finals drought by reaching the 2025 Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- This achievement followed years of setbacks, including star injuries, trades, and a major mid-2000s brawl that derailed title hopes.
- Under president Kevin Pritchard, the team rebuilt by trading Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon to acquire Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, and Pascal Siakam.
- Tyrese Haliburton reflected on the franchise’s milestone, noting that the significant event occurred before he was even half a year old, highlighting the team's long-awaited achievement.
- The Pacers' return to the Finals suggests a new era combining fast-paced play and a chance to become the only team crowned ABA and NBA champions.
24 Articles
24 Articles
25 years later: Looking back at the last time the Pacers reached the NBA Finals
INDIANAPOLIS The Indiana Pacers are back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years, reigniting a fervor reminiscent of the year 2000 when they made their inaugural appearance in the championship series.In the summer of 2000, gas prices hit a staggering $1.60 a gallon. The Indiana Fever, a new addition to the sports landscape, was enjoying its first season, while blockbuster films like "Mission: Impossible 2" topped the box office.In June …
Pacers look to overcome snake-bitten history
Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner beamed as they carried the Indiana Pacers shiny, new Eastern Conference championship trophy into their postgame news conferences Saturday night. Pascal Siakam needed help because he was also bringing the series MVP trophy. The Pacers…
Indiana Pacers’ 25-year NBA Finals drought is over. Can they overcome their snakebitten history?
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers have finally ended the franchise’s 25-year NBA Finals drought, achieving the unthinkable after starting 10-15 and looking like anything but a title contender. Now Indiana will try to exorcise the demons of its decades-long, snakebitten history and actually win the title when the Pacers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. “It is really a special thing that happened 25 years ago, I wasn’t even six…


Pacers' 25-year Finals drought is over
INDIANAPOLIS — The Pacers have finally ended the franchise's 25-year NBA Finals drought, achieving the unthinkable after starting 10-15 and looking like anything but a title contender.
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