2002–03 Indiana Pacers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Indiana Pacers 2003 48 34 Central 2 3 Isiah Thomas Donnie Walsh Conseco Fieldhouse Fox Sports Net Midwest, WTTV First Round(lost to Celtics 2–4) IND The 2002–03 Indiana Pacers season was the 27th season for the Indiana Pacers in the National Basketball Association, and their 36th season as a franchise. Indiana Pacers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/ August 7, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Pacers had the 14th overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Fred Jones from the University of Oregon. Passan Jeff Rockets Select Yao No. 1 Overall in Draft The Washington Post June 26, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/06/27/rockets-select-yao-no-1-overall-in-draft/514fd892-fe37-4595-aed2-c42c53b509fb/ October 24, 2026 2002 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2002.html October 24, 2026 During the off-season, the team signed free agent Erick Strickland. Staff and Wire Reports Stackhouse Goes to Wizards Los Angeles Times September 12, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-12-sp-newswire12-story.html November 30, 2022 Pacers Ink G Erick Strickland United Press International September 11, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/09/11/Pacers-ink-G-Erick-Strickland/78841031774801/ June 11, 2022 Regular season Despite a few early-season injuries, Smith Sam Eastern Conference Capsules Chicago Tribune October 30, 2002 https://www.chicagotribune.com/cs-2002nba_eastcaps-story.html July 16, 2022 the Pacers got off to a fast start by winning 14 of their first 16 games of the regular season, which included a nine-game winning streak in November, as the team held a 34–15 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=2003 September 13, 2022 However, the Pacers struggled and played below .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, losing 12 of 13 games between February 16 and March 12, 2003, while posting two six-game losing streaks. 76ers Rally to Beat Pacers, 96-93 Midland Daily News March 11, 2003 https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/76ers-Rally-to-Beat-Pacers-96-93-7192556.php June 22, 2022 In March, the team signed free agent, and former All-Star guard Tim Hardaway, who played in ten games for the Pacers. Associated Press Struggling Pacers Sign Tim Hardaway Los Angeles Times March 28, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-28-sp-nbarep28-story.html October 27, 2022 In Sports from United Press International United Press International March 28, 2003 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2003/03/28/In-Sports-from-United-Press-International/8591048827600/ June 11, 2022 The Pacers finished in second place in the Central Division with a 48–34 record, and earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference; 2002–03 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2003_games.html July 30, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. Jermaine O'Neal averaged 20.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Ron Artest averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Brad Miller provided the team with 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. In addition, Reggie Miller contributed 12.6 points per game, and led the Pacers with 113 three-point field goals, while sixth man Al Harrington provided with 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game off the bench, and second-year guard Jamaal Tinsley averaged 7.8 points, 7.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Off the bench, Ron Mercer contributed 7.7 points per game, while Jonathan Bender averaged 6.6 points per game, Strickland provided with 6.5 points and 2.9 assists per game, and Austin Croshere contributed 5.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. 2002–03 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2003.html July 30, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, O'Neal and Brad Miller were both selected for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, while head coach Isiah Thomas was selected to coach the Eastern Conference; it was Miller's first ever All-Star appearance. Sheridan Chris Something Old, Something New on Court at All-Star Game Ocala Star-Banner February 9, 2003 https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2003/02/09/something-old-something-new-on-court-at-all-star-game/31273551007/ January 27, 2026 NBA.com Staff 2003 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2003 January 27, 2026 2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT) Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2003.html January 27, 2026 The All-Star Game was also known as a storybook ending for retiring All-Star guard Michael Jordan of the Washington Wizards, but O'Neal ruined the moment, fouling Western Conference All-Star guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who attempted a three-point shot; Bryant hit 2 of 3 free throws to send the game into overtime, as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 155–145 in double-overtime. Associated Press Garnett Is the M.V.P. in Jordan's Final All-Star Game The New York Times February 9, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/09/sports/basketball/garnett-is-the-mvp-in-jordans-final-allstar-game.html January 13, 2022 Wyche Steve Passing the Torch The Washington Post February 10, 2003 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/02/10/passing-the-torch/e9bf0ebe-a63d-4d23-8e1c-ef03027ba5e8/ June 12, 2022 Meanwhile, Tinsley was selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as a member of the Sophomores team. Basketball The Madison Courier February 8, 2003 A8 https://books.google.com/books?id=KbpJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5&dq=2003+NBA+All-Star+Rosters&article_id=6980,3744966&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUp7Pcs6-SAxUnmIkEHXTXEisQ6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q=2003%20NBA%20All-Star%20Rosters&f=false January 28, 2026 2003 NBA Rising Stars: Sophomores 132, Rookies 112 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2003_rookie.html January 27, 2026 Artest finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, behind Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons, Associated Press Wallace Chosen Best Defender Los Angeles Times April 24, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-24-sp-nbanotes24-story.html?_amp=true September 13, 2022 2002–03 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2003.html January 27, 2026 while Harrington finished in eighth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting; Artest also finished in 13th place in Most Improved Player voting, while O'Neal finished tied in 14 place, and Brad Miller finished tied in 18th place, and Thomas finished tied in 15th place in Coach of the Year voting. The Pacers finished 15th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 670,461 at the Conseco Fieldhouse during the regular season. 2002–03 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2003.html February 3, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 2003 NBA playoffs, the Pacers faced off against the 6th–seeded Boston Celtics, a team that featured All-Star guard Paul Pierce, All-Star forward Antoine Walker, and Tony Delk. Despite having home-court advantage in the series, the Pacers struggled as the Celtics took a 3–1 series lead, after the Pacers lost Game 4 on the road, 102–92 at the FleetCenter. The Pacers managed to win Game 5 at home in overtime, 93–88 at the Conseco Fieldhouse, but then lost Game 6 to the Celtics at the FleetCenter, 110–90, thus losing the series in six games. Broussard Chris Pro Basketball: Celtics Put on a Show to Defeat the Pacers The New York Times May 2, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/02/sports/pro-basketball-celtics-put-on-a-show-to-defeat-the-pacers.html?mcubz=0 August 24, 2017 Goodman Jeff Celtics Finish Off Pacers with Rout The Washington Post May 2, 2003 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/05/02/celtics-finish-off-pacers-with-rout/d4e3f6f2-7021-468e-9910-70ec1ab04f6c/ November 27, 2022 2003 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Celtics vs. Pacers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2003-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-celtics-vs-pacers.html January 29, 2026 Notable highlights One notable highlight of the regular season was the Pacers defeating the Chicago Bulls, 140–89 at the Conseco Fieldhouse on March 28, 2003. Pacers Spanks Bulls, 140-89 Associated Press March 28, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-28-sp-nbarep28-story.html October 27, 2022 Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Box Score, March 28, 2003 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200303280IND.html October 27, 2022 Aftermath Following the season, Thomas was fired after three seasons with the Pacers; Robbins Liz Pro Basketball: With Bird in Charge, Pacers Fire Thomas The New York Times August 28, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/28/sports/pro-basketball-with-bird-in-charge-pacers-fire-thomas.html June 11, 2022 Associated Press Bird Fires Thomas as Coach of Pacers Los Angeles Times August 28, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-28-sp-nbarep28-story.html October 27, 2022 he would later return to coach the New York Knicks in 2006. Beck Howard Thomas Is Given an Ultimatum, and Brown a Parting Shot The New York Times June 27, 2006 https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/27/sports/basketball/27knicks.html June 12, 2022 Meanwhile, Brad Miller was traded to the Sacramento Kings, Mercer was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, Associated Press Basketball: 3-Team Deal Gives Kings Brad Miller The New York Times July 25, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/25/sports/basketball-3-team-deal-gives-kings-brad-miller.html June 11, 2022 Associated Press Sacramento Reacts, Gets Miller Los Angeles Times July 25, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-25-sp-nbarep25-story.html October 27, 2022 Strickland signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks Ink Three Free Agents United Press International July 18, 2003 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/07/18/Bucks-ink-three-free-agents/12381058523950/ July 15, 2022 and Hardaway retired after thirteen seasons in the NBA. Offseason Draft picks 2002 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 14 Fred Jones SG United States Oregon Roster Indiana Pacers 2002–03 #1D1E4B #FFFFFF #FFD300 #1D1E4B 23 Ron Artest F 6 7 244 1979–11–13 St. John's 24 Jonathan Bender F 6 11 202 1981–01–30 Picayune Memorial HS (MS) 2 Jamison Brewer G 6 4 184 1980–11–19 Auburn 27 Primož Brezec C 7 2 252 1979–10–02 Slovenia 44 Austin Croshere F 6 9 235 1975–05–01 Providence College 10 Jeff Foster basketball C 6 11 250 1977–01–16 Texas State 14 Tim Hardaway G 6 0 175 1966–09–01 University of Texas at El Paso 3 Al Harrington F 6 9 230 1980–02–17 St. Patrick HS (NJ) 20 Fred Jones basketball G 6 4 210 1979–03–11 Oregon 5 Ron Mercer G/F 6 7 210 1976–05–18 Kentucky 52 Brad Miller basketball C 6 11 244 1976–04–12 Purdue 31 Reggie Miller G/F 6 7 185 1965–08–24 UCLA 7 Jermaine O'Neal Jermaine O'Neal F/C 6 11 260 1978–10–13 Eau Claire HS (SC) 21 Erick Strickland G 6 3 210 1973–11–25 Nebraska 11 Jamaal Tinsley G 6 3 195 1978–02–28 Iowa State Isiah Thomas Mark Aguirre Dan Burke Vern Fleming Brendan Malone Jim Staak https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2003.html 2012–10–10 Regular season Season standings IND IND z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Playoffs Indiana Pacers 2003 yes #000080 #FFD700 Indiana Pacers First round no yes yes #FFD700 #000080 2 1 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 19 | Boston | L 100–103 | Ron Artest (26) | Jermaine O'Neal (9) | Jamaal Tinsley (9) | Conseco Fieldhouse16,380 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 21 | Boston | W 89–77 | Jermaine O'Neal (23) | Jermaine O'Neal (20) | Jamaal Tinsley (7) | Conseco Fieldhouse15,881 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 24 | @ Boston | L 83–101 | Jermaine O'Neal (21) | Jermaine O'Neal (16) | Jamaal Tinsley (8) | FleetCenter18,624 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 27 | @ Boston | L 92–102 | Jermaine O'Neal (25) | Jermaine O'Neal (19) | Jamaal Tinsley (13) | FleetCenter18,624 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | April 29 | Boston | W 93–88 (OT) | Ron Artest (26) | Jermaine O'Neal (22) | Tim Hardaway (6) | Conseco Fieldhouse15,326 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | May 1 | @ Boston | L 90–110 | Jermaine O'Neal (25) | Jermaine O'Neal (19) | Erick Strickland (5) | FleetCenter18,624 | 2–4 |- IND 2003 yes Player statistics Regular season Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameAl HarringtonSF82 37 2,467 511 125 71 33 1,002 30.1 6.2 1.5 .9 .4 12.2Jermaine O'NealPF 77 76 2,864 796 155 66 178 1,600 37.2 10.3 2.0 .9 2.3 20.8Jeff Foster basketballC 77 2 802 279 51 28 21 162 10.4 3.6 .7 .4 .3 2.1Brad Miller basketballC 73 72 2,270 603 193 65 43 955 31.1 8.3 2.6 .9 .6 13.1Jamaal TinsleyPG 73 69 2,237 260 548 125 18 566 30.6 3.6 7.5 1.7 .2 7.8Ron MercerSG 72 3 1,671 154 112 49 14 556 23.2 2.1 1.6 .7 .2 7.7Erick StricklandSG 71 10 1,275 145 209 38 7 458 18.0 2.0 2.9 .5 .1 6.5Reggie MillerSG 70 70 2,117 172 170 62 4 882 30.2 2.5 2.4 .9 .1 12.6Ron Artest Metta Sandiford-ArtestSF 69 67 2,317 362 198 159 50 1,068 33.6 5.2 2.9 2.3 .7 15.5Austin CrosherePF 49 0 633 155 56 6 13 252 12.9 3.2 1.1 .1 .3 5.1Jonathan BenderSF 46 2 819 133 42 8 56 303 17.8 2.9 .9 .2 1.2 6.6Primož BrezecC 22 1 111 23 4 2 4 42 5.0 1.0 .2 .1 .2 1.9Fred Jones basketballSG 19 1 115 9 5 6 1 23 6.1 .5 .3 .3 .1 1.2Tim HardawayPG 10 0 127 15 24 9 0 49 12.7 1.5 2.4 .9 .0 4.9Jamison BrewerPG 10 0 80 9 18 2 1 22 8.0 .9 1.8 .2 .1 2.2 Playoffs Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameJermaine O'NealPF6 6 272 105 4 3 18 137 45.3 17.5 .7 .5 3.0 22.8Ron Artest Metta Sandiford-ArtestSF6 6 252 35 13 15 6 114 42.0 5.8 2.2 2.5 1.0 19.0Jamaal TinsleyPG6 6 185 18 39 4 0 51 30.8 3.0 6.5 .7 .0 8.5Reggie MillerSG6 6 176 14 14 1 1 55 29.3 2.3 2.3 .2 .2 9.2Brad Miller basketballC6 6 135 33 15 5 0 52 22.5 5.5 2.5 .8 .0 8.7Ron MercerSG6 0 135 13 7 6 1 39 22.5 2.2 1.2 1.0 .2 6.5Al HarringtonSF6 0 103 22 5 6 3 18 17.2 3.7 .8 1.0 .5 3.0Jeff Foster basketballC6 0 38 8 2 0 3 14 6.3 1.3 .3 .0 .5 2.3Erick StricklandSG 5 0 42 7 8 1 0 21 8.4 1.4 1.6 .2 .0 4.2Tim HardawayPG 4 0 47 2 9 1 0 13 11.8 .5 2.3 .3 .0 3.3Austin CrosherePF 4 0 46 17 3 0 1 16 11.5 4.3 .8 .0 .3 4.0Jonathan BenderSF 3 0 34 7 0 0 2 17 11.3 2.3 .0 .0 .7 5.7 Awards and records Isiah Thomas, List of NBA All-Star Game head coaches Jermaine O'Neal, NBA All-Star Game Brad Miller, NBA All-Star Game Jermaine O'Neal, All-NBA Third Team Ron Artest, NBA All-Defensive Second Team Transactions January 2011 References See also 2002–03 NBA season Category:Indiana Pacers seasons Pace Pace Indiana