2000–01 Indiana Pacers season


The 2000–01 NBA season was the Pacers' 25th season in the National Basketball Association, and 34th season as a franchise. The Pacers were coming off of an NBA Finals defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. During the offseason, the Pacers hired former Indiana University and Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas as Head Coach, while acquiring Jermaine O'Neal from the Portland Trail Blazers. With the departures of veteran players from the team that reached the Finals last year, the Pacers struggled playing mediocre basketball for most of the season, and finished fourth in the Central Division with a record of 41–41. To qualify for the playoffs, the Pacers needed to win 9 of their final 11 games to secure the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Last year's Most Improved Player Jalen Rose continued to lead the team in scoring averaging 20.5 points per game. In the playoffs, the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers would need only four games to eliminate the Pacers. Following the season, Sam Perkins retired and Derrick McKey signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Offseason

NBA Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
127Primož BrezecCUnion Olimpija
256Jaquay WallsSGUnited StatesColorado

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule

Playoffs

East First Round

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers
Last Playoff Meeting: 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Awards, records, and honors

Player stats

Season

Playoffs

Transactions