2023–24 Indiana Pacers season
2023–24 NBA season by team / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2023–24 Indiana Pacers season was the 57th season of the franchise and the 47th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Rick Carlisle returned for his 7th season as head coach while the franchise hired former Pacers Jim Boylen and Shayne Whittington as assistants.
2023–24 Indiana Pacers season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Head coach | Rick Carlisle | ||
General manager | Chad Buchanan | ||
President | Kevin Pritchard | ||
Owner(s) | Herbert Simon | ||
Arena | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | ||
Results | |||
Record | 47–35 (.573) | ||
Place | Division: 3rd (Central) Conference: 6th (Eastern) | ||
Playoff finish | Eastern Conference finals (lost to Celtics 0–4) | ||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |||
Local media | |||
Television | Bally Sports Indiana | ||
Radio | 1070 The Fan | ||
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During the 2023 NBA draft, the franchise most notably acquired Jarace Walker with the 8th overall selection. On July 1, 2023, Tyrese Haliburton agreed to a max contract extension with the Pacers worth up to $260 million over five years.[1] During the offseason, the team acquired the services of Obi Toppin and Bruce Brown. On January 17, 2024, the Pacers acquired All-NBA Forward Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr., and three first–round draft picks.[2] On February 8, 2024, after failing to reach a contract extension, Buddy Hield was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a three–team deal involving the San Antonio Spurs, in which the Pacers re–acquired Doug McDermott and draft compensation.[3]
On November 4, 2023, Haliburton tied a career–high 43 points and added 12 assists, becoming the first player in Pacers franchise history to record at least 40+ points and 10+ assists in a game.[4] On November 6, 2023, head coach Rick Carlisle earned his 900th career win, in a 152–111 win over rookie Victor Wembanyama, Gregg Popovich, and the San Antonio Spurs.[5]
After defeating the Atlanta Hawks in the season finale, the Pacers clinched their first playoff berth since 2020. The Pacers faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and won in six games, securing their first series win since their 2014 season. Despite going down 0–2 in the second round against the New York Knicks, the Pacers would respond with back-to-back blowout wins in Games 6 and 7, advancing to their first Eastern Conference finals since the aforementioned 2014 postseason, where they would go on to be swept by the Boston Celtics.