1980–81 Indiana Pacers season

The 1980–81 NBA season was Indiana's fifth season in the NBA and their 14th season as a franchise. The Pacers had their first NBA winning season and made their first NBA playoff appearance, which was quickly scuttled by a 2–0 sweep from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jack McKinney was named NBA Coach of the Year for leading the Pacers to the playoffs. McKinney began the previous season as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, but suffered a near-fatal bicycling accident in November 1979 after only 13 games. The Lakers went on to win the championship under Paul Westhead, and McKinney was forced to step aside by Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who helped him land the Indiana job.

Regular season
Notes
 * z, y – division champions
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 110–91
 * Rutgers Athletic Center
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * Detroit
 * W 100–87
 * Davis (22)
 * Edwards (16)
 * Davis (11)
 * Market Square Arena
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * L 97–108
 * Market Square Arena 6,909
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * W 103–99
 * Edwards (18)
 * McGinnis (11)
 * Bantom (6)
 * Market Square Arena 11,713
 * 3–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 121–116
 * The Omni
 * 4–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * L 105–119
 * Bantom (20)
 * G. Johnson (14)
 * Bantom (6)
 * Market Square Arena 7,138
 * 4–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7
 * Atlanta
 * W 104–97
 * Market Square Arena
 * 5–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 100–118
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 5–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 9
 * New York
 * W 102–95
 * Market Square Arena
 * 6–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 10
 * 8:35p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * W 121–114
 * Knight (22)
 * C. Johnson (7)
 * Davis (10)
 * Chicago Stadium 5,127
 * 7–3
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 5–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 9
 * New York
 * W 102–95
 * Market Square Arena
 * 6–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 10
 * 8:35p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * W 121–114
 * Knight (22)
 * C. Johnson (7)
 * Davis (10)
 * Chicago Stadium 5,127
 * 7–3
 * W 121–114
 * Knight (22)
 * C. Johnson (7)
 * Davis (10)
 * Chicago Stadium 5,127
 * 7–3


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * New Jersey
 * W 113–100
 * Market Square Arena
 * 8–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 12
 * 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 121–135
 * Edwards (23)
 * Knight (7)
 * Bradley, Davis, Knight (5)
 * MECCA Arena 10,980
 * 8–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * 9:35p.m. EST
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 108–109
 * Bantom (18)
 * Edwards, C. Johnson (9)
 * Bradley (5)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,018
 * 8–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * @ Golden State
 * L 111–118
 * Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 8–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * @ Utah
 * L 106–108
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 8–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 16
 * 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 119–113
 * Knight (52)
 * Edwards (6)
 * Bradley (10)
 * HemisFair Arena 11,282
 * 9–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 17
 * 8:00p.m. EST
 * Philadelphia
 * L 103–130
 * Orr (20)
 * G. Johnson (10)
 * Bradley (6)
 * Market Square Arena 11,421
 * 9–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * Washington
 * W 118–108
 * Market Square Arena
 * 10–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * @ Detroit
 * W 102–97
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 11–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * L 91–103
 * Knight (27)
 * G. Johnson, Knight (11)
 * Davis (7)
 * Market Square Arena 10,815
 * 11–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 21
 * 8:05p.m. EST
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 88–97
 * G. Johnson (19)
 * G. Johnson (16)
 * Davis (7)
 * The Spectrum 8,237
 * 11–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Houston
 * W 129–120
 * Knight (22)
 * C. Johnson (11)
 * Davis (10)
 * Market Square Arena 7,357
 * 12–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * Atlanta
 * W 110–89
 * Market Square Arena
 * 13–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * @ Washington
 * L 108–123
 * Capital Centre
 * 13–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * Cleveland
 * W 117–101
 * Market Square Arena
 * 14–11
 * Market Square Arena 7,357
 * 12–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * Atlanta
 * W 110–89
 * Market Square Arena
 * 13–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * @ Washington
 * L 108–123
 * Capital Centre
 * 13–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * Cleveland
 * W 117–101
 * Market Square Arena
 * 14–11
 * Capital Centre
 * 13–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * Cleveland
 * W 117–101
 * Market Square Arena
 * 14–11
 * Market Square Arena
 * 14–11
 * Market Square Arena
 * 14–11


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * @ New York
 * W 113–96
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 15–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * Washington
 * W 128–115
 * Market Square Arena
 * 16–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * 9:00p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 100–102
 * Bantom (25)
 * Bantom (12)
 * Bantom (8)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 16–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Kansas City
 * W 107–88
 * Davis (20)
 * Edwards (10)
 * Davis (6)
 * Market Square Arena 7,099
 * 17–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Phoenix
 * W 102–90
 * Edwards (17)
 * Edwards (10)
 * Davis (7)
 * Market Square Arena 9,140
 * 18–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 103–100
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 19–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * @ Washington
 * L 105–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 19–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Philadelphia
 * L 107–109
 * Knight (24)
 * McGinnia (16)
 * Davis (5)
 * Market Square Arena 12,539
 * 19–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * @ Detroit
 * L 106–109
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 19–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35
 * 8:35p.m. EST
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 107–103
 * Davis (19)
 * McGinnis (15)
 * McGinnis (6)
 * Kemper Arena 5,910
 * 20–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * New Jersey
 * W 125–109
 * Market Square Arena
 * 21–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 37
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 115–116
 * The Forum
 * 21–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * @ San Diego
 * L 109–121
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 21–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * @ Denver
 * L 110–127
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 21–18
 * W 125–109
 * Market Square Arena
 * 21–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 37
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 115–116
 * The Forum
 * 21–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * @ San Diego
 * L 109–121
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 21–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * @ Denver
 * L 110–127
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 21–18
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 21–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * @ Denver
 * L 110–127
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 21–18
 * @ Denver
 * L 110–127
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 21–18
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 21–18
 * 21–18


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 109–106
 * The Omni
 * 22–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * San Diego
 * W 128–104
 * Market Square Arena
 * 23–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 113–104
 * Rutgers Athletic Center
 * 24–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * New Jersey
 * W 112–103
 * Market Square Arena
 * 25–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * @ New York
 * W 117–116 (OT)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 26–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * W 106–102
 * Knight (21)
 * McGinnis (16)
 * Buse (6)
 * Market Square Arena 14,505
 * 27–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 46
 * Detroit
 * W 101–99
 * Market Square Arena
 * 28–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * Seattle
 * L 94–95
 * Market Square Arena
 * 28–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * Utah
 * W 110–89
 * Market Square Arena
 * 29–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * 8:35p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 105–121
 * Bantom (25)
 * C Johnson (9)
 * Edwards (7)
 * Chicago Stadium 5,519
 * 29–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 50
 * 8:05p.m. EST
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 104–118
 * McGinnis (25)
 * Edwards (8)
 * Bradley, Davis, McGinnis (4)
 * The Spectrum 9,752
 * 29–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 51
 * 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 103–104
 * Edwards (19)
 * McGinnis (9)
 * Bantom (5)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 29–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * Dallas
 * W 107–89
 * Market Square Arena
 * 30–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 109–114
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 30–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * Golden State
 * W 108–102
 * Market Square Arena
 * 31–23
 * Edwards (8)
 * Bradley, Davis, McGinnis (4)
 * The Spectrum 9,752
 * 29–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 51
 * 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 103–104
 * Edwards (19)
 * McGinnis (9)
 * Bantom (5)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 29–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * Dallas
 * W 107–89
 * Market Square Arena
 * 30–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 109–114
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 30–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * Golden State
 * W 108–102
 * Market Square Arena
 * 31–23
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 30–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * Golden State
 * W 108–102
 * Market Square Arena
 * 31–23
 * Market Square Arena
 * 31–23
 * Market Square Arena
 * 31–23


 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 108–99
 * Knight (24)
 * Orr (11)
 * Bantom, Davis (9)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 32–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * Los Angeles
 * L 96–102
 * Market Square Arena
 * 32–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 98–111
 * Bantom (24)
 * Orr (7)
 * McGinnis (7)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 32–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * Cleveland
 * W 99–96
 * Market Square Arena
 * 33–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * @ Detroit
 * W 124–101
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 34–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * L 101–107
 * Orr (21)
 * Orr (11)
 * Davis (7)
 * Market Square Arena 11,817
 * 34–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 61
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 100–103
 * Rutgers Athletic Center
 * 34–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * 4:05p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * W 113–107
 * McGinnis (27)
 * Bantom (11)
 * Davis (6)
 * Market Square Arena 10,513
 * 35–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 63
 * Atlanta
 * L 96–99
 * Market Square Arena
 * 35–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * San Antonio
 * W 109–106
 * McGinnis (24)
 * McGinnis (12)
 * Davis (8)
 * Market Square Arena 10,419
 * 36–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * Portland
 * L 109–113 (OT)
 * Market Square Arena
 * 36–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * 9:00p.m. EST
 * @ Houston
 * L 100–101
 * Edwards (25)
 * Edwards (11)
 * Davis (12)
 * The Summit 13,121
 * 36–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * @ Dallas
 * W 118–111
 * Reunion Arena
 * 37–30
 * Portland
 * L 109–113 (OT)
 * Market Square Arena
 * 36–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * 9:00p.m. EST
 * @ Houston
 * L 100–101
 * Edwards (25)
 * Edwards (11)
 * Davis (12)
 * The Summit 13,121
 * 36–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * @ Dallas
 * W 118–111
 * Reunion Arena
 * 37–30
 * @ Dallas
 * W 118–111
 * Reunion Arena
 * 37–30
 * Reunion Arena
 * 37–30
 * Reunion Arena
 * 37–30


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * @ Portland
 * L 112–117
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 37–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * @ Seattle
 * L 93–105
 * Kingdome
 * 37–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * W 110–104
 * Knight (32)
 * Bantom (6)
 * Davis (6)
 * Market Square Arena 17,032
 * 38–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * Denver
 * W 129–119
 * Market Square Arena
 * 39–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * 7:35p.m. EST
 * Philadelphia
 * L 102–103
 * Knight (22)
 * Edwards, Knight (8)
 * Davis (11)
 * Market Square Arena 17,032
 * 39–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 73
 * @ Washington
 * W 114–107
 * Capital Centre
 * 40–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston (at Hartford, CT)
 * W 101–94
 * Davis (24)
 * C. Johnson (17)
 * Davis (9)
 * Hartford Civic Center 15,622
 * 41–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * Detroit
 * L 94–101
 * Market Square Arena
 * 41–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 76
 * @ New York
 * L 89–114
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 41–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * 8:05p.m. EST
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 95–107
 * McGinnis (22)
 * Edwards, McGinnis (9)
 * Knight (4)
 * The Spectrum 12,756
 * 41–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 78
 * New York
 * L 107–110
 * Market Square Arena
 * 41–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * Cleveland
 * W 107–101
 * Market Square Arena
 * 42–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 115–107
 * The Omni
 * 43–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * Washington
 * W 122–107
 * Market Square Arena
 * 44–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * 1:05p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * L 97–101
 * Knight (25)
 * Edwards (9)
 * Davis (12)
 * Market Square Arena 16,663
 * 44–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * Cleveland
 * W 107–101
 * Market Square Arena
 * 42–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 115–107
 * The Omni
 * 43–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * Washington
 * W 122–107
 * Market Square Arena
 * 44–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * 1:05p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * L 97–101
 * Knight (25)
 * Edwards (9)
 * Davis (12)
 * Market Square Arena 16,663
 * 44–38
 * Market Square Arena
 * 44–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * 1:05p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * L 97–101
 * Knight (25)
 * Edwards (9)
 * Davis (12)
 * Market Square Arena 16,663
 * 44–38

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * 8:05p.m. EST
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 108–124
 * Knight (25)
 * C. Johnson, Knight (7)
 * Davis (8)
 * The Spectrum 7,288
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * 8:05p.m. EST
 * Philadelphia
 * L 85–96
 * Davis (21)
 * C. Johnson (13)
 * Knight (4)
 * Market Square Arena 8,921
 * 0–2

Playoffs
Player Statistics Citation:

Awards and records

 * Jack McKinney, NBA Coach of the Year Award
 * Dudley Bradley, NBA All-Defensive Second Team