Pacers Schedule: Eastern Conference Finals rematch and 5 other must-watch dates

The NBA schedule for the 2024-25 season has finally been released, meaning Indiana Pacers fans now know exactly what dates to circle on the calendar.

Last season, the Pacers ended with a 47-35 record and earned the No. 6 seed in the playoffs. However, the team ultimately appeared in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014.

This summer, the Pacers selected Johnny Furphy in the second round of the NBA Draft and brought in former Detroit Pistons big man James Wiseman on a two-year, minimum contract. Additionally, they re-signed Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin while extending Andrew Nembhard's contract for the long haul.

With just some minor changes made to the roster, the Pacers are banking on natural progression to make another deep playoff run next year. However, they must get through the regular season first.

So which games should Pacers fans keep an eye on as the team prepares to follow up their most successful season in a decade? Here are six games that Pacers fans should have marked on the calendar for the 2024-25 NBA season.

10/25: Pacers @ Knicks

The Pacers and the New York Knicks have had a long-standing rivalry in the NBA. While it was dead in the water for some time, it seems that the feud is alive once again. Last season, the Pacers overcame a 2-0 series deficit to defeat the Knicks in seven games in the second round of the playoffs. A playoff rematch in Madison Square Garden is must-see TV.

Additionally, many fans believed Knicks guard Jalen Brunson deserved a spot on Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics over Tyrese Haliburton. Furthermore, the two went face-to-face on an episode of WWE Friday Night Smackdown in June. While this was done in good fun, the rivalry between both teams is very real and should culminate in a great basketball game.

10/27: Pacers vs. 76ers

The Pacers facing the Philadelphia 76ers makes for great basketball for three reasons.

First, the 76ers had arguably the best offseason of any NBA team this summer. They signed veterans Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond, and Caleb Martin and drafted Jared McCain in the first round of the draft. However, their biggest move by far was signing former Pacers star Paul George in free agency. Seeing how George plays against his former team is something worth watching.

Second, the Pacers, on the flip side, have a former 76ers player on the roster--T.J. McConnell. The Pittsburgh native spent the first four seasons of his career with the team before joining the Pacers in 2019. While it is not as big as George playing the Pacers, seeing how McConnell fares against his old team all these years later will be fun to monitor.

And lastly, because of all their offseason moves, many believe the 76ers are a top-three team in the Eastern Conference now, even above the Pacers, who are fresh off a conference finals appearance. This game will be a great measure to see how the Pacers stack up against the teams who are supposedly better than them.

10/30: Pacers vs. Celtics

In the Eastern Conference Finals just a few months ago, the eventual champion Boston Celtics ended the Pacers' season early. However, despite getting swept by Boston, many would argue that the Pacers gave the Celtics their hardest challenge of the playoffs. Seeing the two teams go head-to-head once again next season will certainly be worth watching.

11/22: Pacers vs. Bucks (NBA Cup game)

For the last six years, the Milwaukee Bucks were the Central Division champions. However, the Pacers look primed to take that from the Bucks once and for all this season. Furthermore, like the Knicks and Celtics, the Bucks were a playoff opponent for the Pacers last season in the first round. Ultimately, they lost to Indiana in six games.

Additionally, after last year's bizarre Patrick Beverley fiasco in Game 6, the Pacers will likely look to exact revenge. While Beverley will not play in the NBA next season, the Bucks and Pacers still have a budding rivalry that will only continue to grow as each team battles for the Central Division crown and playoff superiority.

12/22: Pacers @ Kings

Whenever the Pacers and Sacramento Kings face off from here on out, it will be fun to watch. While it is mostly due to the Haliburton and Domantas Sabonis trade between the two teams from 2022, it is also important to remember that the Kings pursued Siakam last season before the former Toronto Raptors champion got traded to the Pacers.

12/23: Pacers @ Warriors

This summer, in an attempt to replace four-time champion Klay Thompson, who joined the Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors brought in a face familiar to Pacers fans. The team signed former Pacers wing Buddy Hield to a four-year contract earlier this offseason.

Last season, the Pacers traded Hield to the 76ers. However, he has yet to face his old team after the trade. Next season, he will have the chance to do exactly that.