The 2021 NBA Playoffs are underway, and for the first time since 2015, the Indiana Pacers will be mere observers. Despite being one of the league’s most consistent playoff teams, the Blue and Gold were eliminated after failing to overcome a turbulent, injury-marred season in the much-improved East.
That being said, to pick the brains of fans who don’t have much to root for in the postseason, it would be interesting to ponder on what is the Pacers’ best playoff team since the past decade. In the spirit of sentimentality, it’s certainly fun to look back on the some of the more cherished teams that Indianapolis has offered in recent history.
Luckily, there is a way to find out the crème de la crème among Indiana’s playoff teams. Through a tournament bracket, we simulated a best-of-seven series between the Blue and Gold’s last eight postseason squads. From 1-8, we seeded the teams based on winning percentage (ties are broken by superior division record) :
- 2013-14 Indiana Pacers (56-26, .683)
- 2011-12 Indiana Pacers (42-24, .636)
- 2019-20 Indiana Pacers (45-28, .616)
- 2012-13 Indiana Pacers (49-32, .605)
- 2018-19 Indiana Pacers (48-34, .585)
- 2017-18 Indiana Pacers (48-34, .585)
- 2015-16 Indiana Pacers (45-37, .549)
- 2016-17 Indiana Pacers (42-40, .512)
Simulations were done through this amazing site. All of the results were honestly written with the sim machine’s generated box scores and play-by-plays. Now, grab a drink and buckle your seats as we seek out the best among the Indiana Pacers’ last eight playoff teams.