1995 Eastern Conference Finals Appearance

Lore & Background

The 1995 Eastern Conference Finals was the Pacers' long-awaited arrival on the big stage, after years of playoff heartbreak. Having never advanced past the second round since joining the NBA in 1976, Indiana first bulldozed the Atlanta Hawks and then outlasted the New York Knicks in a brutal seven-game series. Waiting for them were the Orlando Magic, a cocky young squad fronted by Shaquille O'Neal's earth-shaking dunks and Penny Hardaway's silky drives. What followed was a back-alley brawl: four games decided by single digits, Reggie Miller's dagger three in Game 4 with 1.3 seconds left, and a Game 7 in Orlando where the Pacers' shots rattled out as the Magic's size—O'Neal and Horace Grant's rebounding—finally wore them down. The series ended in a 105-81 loss, but the echo of that fight lingered.

In Their Own Story

The air in Market Square Arena was thick with hope as Game 7 loomed. Reggie Miller, sweat dripping from his brow, paced the locker room. 'We've come too far to fold,' he muttered, his eyes locked on the court. The Pacers had stolen Game 6 in Orlando, forcing a decisive showdown. But the Magic's twin towers, O'Neal and Horace Grant, proved too much—O'Neal bullied the paint for 25 points, and Grant snatched every rebound. In the final minutes, Indiana's shots rimmed out—Miller's 29 points weren't enough—and the dream slipped away. Yet, as the crowd filed out, a new belief lingered: the Pacers had arrived, and they'd be back.

Reader's Guide

The 1995 Eastern Conference Finals was a landmark achievement for the Indiana Pacers, representing their first conference finals appearance since the ABA merger. The series took place in May 1995, with the Pacers entering as the No. 2 seed in the East. Despite falling to the Orlando Magic in seven games, the run validated the franchise's rebuild under Larry Brown and established Reggie Miller as a postseason icon. The Pacers' resilience—winning Game 6 on the road to force a Game 7—demonstrated their grit. This appearance laid the groundwork for future success, including a Finals berth in 2000. The series is remembered for its intensity, with four games decided by single digits, and for showcasing the Pacers' ability to compete with the league's elite.

Did You Know?

• The Pacers had never advanced past the second round of the NBA playoffs before 1995.
• Reggie Miller scored 29 points in Game 7, but the Pacers lost 105-81.
• The series featured a memorable Game 4 where Miller hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.3 seconds left.
• Larry Brown was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1995, partly for guiding the Pacers to this run.