The Indiana Pacers, who were last in the NBA Finals in 2000, are going after their first NBA championship.
The Indiana Pacers are back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. As they seek their first NBA title, what does this team have in common with past title-winning teams?
Here are eight qualities of this 2024-25 team that align with the traits of historically successful NBA teams.
1. Elite playmaker
- Why this trait matters: As the competition ratchets up to the highest level in the Finals, having a player who consistently drives the offense and creates scoring opportunities for their teammates is invaluable. Tyrese Haliburton averaged 9.2 assists during the regular season (3rd) and is up to 9.8 in the playoffs (1st).
- This is similar to: The 2023 Nuggets and Showtime Lakers. The only two players that have averaged 9+ assists in both the regular season and playoffs while leading their team to the title are Nikola Jokić (2023 Nuggets) and Magic Johnson (1982, 1985, 1986 and 1987 Lakers).
2. Sharing is caring
- Why this trait matters: Some Finals teams are star-driven, while others take a team-first approach with an offense centered on ball movement and playmaking, giving up good shots for great shots and higher efficiency. Led by Haliburton, the Pacers averaged 29.2 assists per game during the regular season and nearly matched that rate (28.1 apg) in the playoffs.
- This is similar to: The 2017 & 2018 Warriors and the Showtime Lakers. Only six teams in NBA history have averaged at least 29 assists and gone on to win the NBA title: the two Warriors mentioned above, the 1980, 1985 and 1987 Lakers and the 1986 Celtics. Can the Pacers become the seventh team on that list?
3. Hunger for first title
- Why this trait matters: While just about every aspect of the game can be measured statistically, this is one of those intangibles that can be seen and felt but not necessarily counted. The Pacers have three ABA titles in their history but had only one other chance at the NBA title (2000) before this year.
- This is similar to: The 2016 Cavs, 2019 Raptors & 2023 Nuggets. Those three teams became first-time champions in the past nine seasons, including two with ties to the current Pacers. The 2019 Raptors featured Pascal Siakam, while the 2023 Nuggets included Thomas Bryant. The rest of the Indiana roster has yet to taste championship glory.
4. Facing second conference leader
- Why this trait matters: When it comes to measuring great teams, the path to glory must be considered. The Pacers knocked off the East 1-seed Cavaliers in the second round and now must contend with the West 1-seed Thunder in the Finals. If they can pull off this double, it will put them in elite company.
- This is similar to: The 1993 Bulls, 1995 Rockets, 2001 & 2002 Lakers and 2019 Raptors. Those are the only five teams since 1984 – when the current playoff format was established – that have knocked off both No. 1 seeds on their way to the title.
5. Below a 3-seed
- Why this trait matters: Under the current playoff format, 40 of the 41 champions since 1984 have either been the 1-seed (26x), 2-seed (8x) or the 3-seed (6). That proves how difficult Indiana’s path to the Finals has been as the Pacers look to become the first 4-seed to win the NBA title.
- This is similar to: The 1995 Rockets. We have to rewind three decades to find the only team to overcome those seeding odds, when the 6-seed Rockets won the 1995 NBA title after sweeping the Magic in the Finals.
6. No 1st or 2nd Team All-NBA player
- Why this trait matters: In the last 30 years, 17 title-winning teams have featured at least two All-NBA selections in that season. In that same span, 12 title-winning teams have featured at least one First (7) or Second (5) All-NBA Team selection in that season. The Pacers don’t fit those stats, as Haliburton was their only All-NBA Selection, and he was a Third Team pick.
- This is similar to: The 1995 Rockets. The only exception to the rule above (at least so far) comes from the 1995 Houston Rockets, who featured All-NBA Third Team selection Hakeem Olajuwon and swept the Orlando Magic to pull off a historic playoff run.
7. A player & coach champion
- Why this trait matters: Over the course of NBA history, 37 different coaches have led a team to the championship, but only 14 of those 37 also won an NBA title as a player. The Pacers are one of those teams being led by someone who has achieved success at both the player and coach levels. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle played for the 1986 champion Celtics and coached the 2011 champion Mavericks.
- This is similar to: The 2010s Warriors and 2016 Cavaliers. The two most recent coaches to pull off this career double are Golden State’s Steve Kerr (five titles as a player with the Bulls and Spurs, four titles as coach of the Warriors) and then-Cavaliers coach (and current Clippers coach) Tyronn Lue, who led Cleveland to its historic 3-1 comeback over Kerr and the Warriors.
8. Massive comebacks (17+ points)
- Why this trait matters: This postseason, the Pacers have lived by the credo that “no lead is safe” as they became the first team in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) to pull off four 17+ point comeback wins in a single postseason. Will they add to that total in the Finals?
- This is similar to: The 2008 Lakers and 2017 Mavericks. On their respective runs to the title, the 2008 Lakers and 2017 Mavs each pulled off two 17+ point comebacks during the playoffs. The 2025 Pacers already have as many as those two teams combined.
