2002–03 Indiana Pacers season
Head coachIsiah Thomas
General managerDonnie Walsh
ArenaConseco Fieldhouse
Results
Record48–34 (.585)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 3rd (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst Round
(lost to Celtics 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net Midwest, WTTV

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Pacers' 27th season in the National Basketball Association, and 36th season as a franchise.[1] During the off-season, the Pacers signed free agent Erick Strickland.[2][3] Despite a rash of early-season injuries,[4] the Pacers got off to a fast start winning 14 of their first 16 games, posting a nine-game winning streak in November, and holding a 34–15 record at the All-Star break.[5] However, the team struggled losing 12 of 13 games between February 16 and March 12.[6] In March, the team signed free agent All-Star point guard Tim Hardaway.[7][8] The Pacers finished second in the Central Division with a 48–34 record.[9]

Head coach Isiah Thomas, Jermaine O'Neal and Brad Miller represented the Eastern Conference during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.[10] That game was perhaps known as a storybook ending for Michael Jordan, but O'Neal ruined the moment, fouling Western Conference All-Star Kobe Bryant, who attempted a 3-pointer. Bryant hit 2 of 3 free throws to send the game into overtime. The West won 155–145 in double overtime.[11][12] 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 finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[13][14] In addition, Brad Miller provided the team with 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while Reggie Miller contributed 12.6 points per game, sixth man Al Harrington provided with 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and second-year guard Jamaal Tinsley averaged 7.8 points, 7.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.[15]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Pacers lost in six games to the 6th-seeded Boston Celtics.[16][17][18] After the season, it was announced that Thomas would not be returning as head coach, replacing him with Rick Carlisle for the next season.[19][20] Thomas would later return to coach the New York Knicks in 2006.[21] Also following the season, Brad Miller was traded to the Sacramento Kings, while Ron Mercer was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs,[22][23] Strickland signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks,[24] and Hardaway retired after thirteen seasons in the NBA.

One notable highlight of the season was the Pacers defeating the Chicago Bulls, 140–89 at the Conseco Fieldhouse on March 28, 2003.[25][26]

Offseason

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
114Fred JonesSG United StatesOregon

Roster

2002–03 Indiana Pacers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 23 Artest, Ron 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 244 lb (111 kg) 1979–11–13 St. John's
F 24 Bender, Jonathan 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 1981–01–30 Picayune Memorial HS (MS)
G 2 Brewer, Jamison 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 184 lb (83 kg) 1980–11–19 Auburn
C 27 Brezec, Primož Injured 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 252 lb (114 kg) 1979–10–02 Slovenia
F 44 Croshere, Austin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1975–05–01 Providence
C 10 Foster, Jeff 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1977–01–16 Texas State
G 14 Hardaway, Tim 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–09–01 UTEP
F 3 Harrington, Al 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1980–02–17 St. Patrick HS (NJ)
G 20 Jones, Fred Injured 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1979–03–11 Oregon
G/F 5 Mercer, Ron 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1976–05–18 Kentucky
C 52 Miller, Brad (C) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 244 lb (111 kg) 1976–04–12 Purdue
G/F 31 Miller, Reggie (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–08–24 UCLA
F/C 7 O'Neal, Jermaine (C) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1978–10–13 Eau Claire HS (SC)
G 21 Strickland, Erick 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–11–25 Nebraska
G 11 Tinsley, Jamaal 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1978–02–28 Iowa State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 2012–10–10

Note

Bold = All-Star selection

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 5032.610–30–1120–2119–9
x-Indiana Pacers 4834.585232–916–2519–9
x-New Orleans Hornets 4735.573329–1218–2317–11
x-Milwaukee Bucks 4240.512825–1617–2416–12
Atlanta Hawks 3547.4271526–159–3214–14
Chicago Bulls 3052.3662027–143–3812–16
Toronto Raptors 2458.2932615–269–3210–18
Cleveland Cavaliers 1765.2073314–273–385–23
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons5032.610–
2 y-New Jersey Nets4933.5981
3 x-Indiana Pacers4834.5852
4 x-Philadelphia 76ers4834.5852
5 x-New Orleans Hornets4735.5733
6 x-Boston Celtics4438.5376
7 x-Milwaukee Bucks4240.5128
8 x-Orlando Magic4240.5128
9 New York Knicks3745.45113
10 Washington Wizards3745.45113
11 Atlanta Hawks3547.42715
12 Chicago Bulls3052.36620
13 Miami Heat2557.30525
14 Toronto Raptors2458.29326
15 Cleveland Cavaliers1765.20733
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

2002-03 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NOH NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta –0–32–24–00–22–01–30–21–12–22–01–11–11–32–20–21–32–21–32–13–10–20–21–11–11–11–31–12–2
Boston 3–0–2–24–00–21–12–21–10–22–22–01–12–02–21–22–01–33–14–03–22–20–21–10–20–22–01–21–11–3
Chicago 2–22–2–3–10–21–10–41–11–12–20–21–11–11–22–20–22–21–32–11–31–31–11–10–20–20–22–21–11–3
Cleveland 0–40–41–3–0–21–10–41–11–10–42–01–10–21–20–40–22–21–31–20–40–40–20–20–20–21–13–11–10–4
Dallas 2–02–02–02–0–4–02–04–04–01–14–01–34–02–00–22–22–02–02–01–12–02–22–21–32–22–22–02–22–0
Denver 0–21–11–11–10–4–0–20–40–41–11–30–42–22–01–10–40–20–20–20–20–21–32–20–41–31–31–10–41–1
Detroit 3–12–24–04–00–22–0–1–12–02–21–11–12–03–11–31–12–12–22–22–12–21–10–21–10–21–13–12–03–1
Golden State 2–01–11–11–10–44–01–1–1–31–12–22–22–21–10–21–31–11–12–01–12–02–20–40–41–32–22–02–22–0
Houston 1–12–01–11–10–44–00–23–1–1–12–22–23–11–11–12–21–11–10–22–02–03–11–32–21–32–22–01–31–1
Indiana 2–22–22–24–01–11–12–21–11–1–2–00–21–14–03–12–01–23–13–12–12–21–10–20–20–22–03–11–12–2
L.A. Clippers 0–20–22–00–20–43–11–12–22–20–2–0–42–22–01–11–31–11–11–11–10–21–31–31–31–31–31–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–11–11–11–13–14–01–12–22–22–04–0–4–01–12–02–20–21–11–11–11–13–12–22–20–42–22–03–11–1
Memphis 1–10–21–12–00–42–20–22–21–31–12–20–4–2–02–00–41–11–11–12–00–21–31–30–41–31–31–11–31–1
Miami 3–12–22–12–10–20–21–31–11–10–40–21–10–2–1–31–10–40–42–20–40–42–00–21–10–20–24–00–21–3
Milwaukee 2–22–12–24–02–01–13–12–01–11–31–10–20–23–1–0–22–22–23–12–22–20–22–00–20–21–12–20–22–1
Minnesota 2–00–22–02–02–24–01–13–12–20–23–12–24–01–12–0–0–21–12–01–11–13–13–12–22–22–21–11–32–0
New Jersey 3–13–12–22–20–22–01–21–11–12–11–12–01–14–02–22–0–2–23–12–21–31–12–00–21–11–14–00–23–1
New Orleans 2–21–33–13–10–22–02–21–11–11–31–11–11–14–02–21–12–2–3–11–32–12–00–21–10–22–04–02–02–1
New York 3–10–41–22–10–22–02–20–22–01–31–11–11–12–21–30–21–31–3–2–22–22–00–21–12–01–13–11–12–2
Orlando 1–22–33–14–01–12–01–21–10–21–21–11–10–24–02–21–12–23–12–2–2–20–20–21–10–22–02–21–12–2
Philadelphia 1–32–23–14–00–22–02–20–20–22–22–01–12–04–02–21–13–11–22–22–2–0–22–00–21–11–13–01–14–0
Phoenix 2–02–01–12–02–23–11–12–21–31–13–11–33–10–22–01–31–10–20–22–02–0–3–12–23–11–31–11–31–1
Portland 2–01–11–12–02–22–22–04–03–12–03–12–23–12–00–21–30–22–02–02–00–21–3–1–32–24–02–01–31–1
Sacramento 1–12–02–02–03–14–01–14–02–22–03–12–24–01–12–02–22–01–11–11–12–02–23–1–1–33–11–13–12–0
San Antonio 1–12–02–02–02–23–12–03–13–12–03–14–03–12–02–02–21–12–00–22–01–11–32–23–1–3–12–04–01–1
Seattle 1–10–22–01–12–23–11–12–22–20–23–12–23–12–01–12–21–10–21–10–21–13–10–41–31–3–2–02–21–1
Toronto 3–12–12–21–30–21–11–30–20–21–31–10–21–10–42–21–10–40–41–32–20–31–10–21–10–20–2–0–23–1
Utah 1–11–11–11–12–24–00–22–23–11–13–11–33–12–02–03–12–00–21–11–11–13–13–11–30–42–22–0–1–1
Washington 2–23–13–14–00–21–11–30–21–12–22–01–11–13–11–20–21–31–22–22–20–41–11–10–21–11–11–31–1—

Game log

Playoffs

2003 playoff game log
First round: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 19 Boston L 100–103 Ron Artest (26) Jermaine O'Neal (9) Jamaal Tinsley (9) Conseco Fieldhouse
16,380		 0–1
2 April 21 Boston W 89–77 Jermaine O'Neal (23) Jermaine O'Neal (20) Jamaal Tinsley (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
15,881		 1–1
3 April 24 @ Boston L 83–101 Jermaine O'Neal (21) Jermaine O'Neal (16) Jamaal Tinsley (8) FleetCenter
18,624		 1–2
4 April 27 @ Boston L 92–102 Jermaine O'Neal (25) Jermaine O'Neal (19) Jamaal Tinsley (13) FleetCenter
18,624		 1–3
5 April 29 Boston W 93–88 (OT) Ron Artest (26) Jermaine O'Neal (22) Tim Hardaway (6) Conseco Fieldhouse
15,326		 2–3
6 May 1 @ Boston L 90–110 Jermaine O'Neal (25) Jermaine O'Neal (19) Erick Strickland (5) FleetCenter
18,624		 2–4
2003 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Jermaine O'Neal 77 76 37.2 .484 .333 .731 10.3 2.0 0.9 2.3 20.8
Ron Artest 69 67 33.6 .428 .336 .736 5.2 2.9 2.3 0.7 15.5
Brad Miller 73 72 31.1 .493 .313 .818 8.3 2.6 0.9 0.6 13.1
Reggie Miller 70 70 30.2 .441 .355 .900 2.5 2.4 0.9 0.1 12.6
Al Harrington 82 37 30.1 .434 .283 .770 6.2 1.5 0.9 0.4 12.2
Jamaal Tinsley 73 69 30.6 .396 .277 .714 3.6 7.5 1.7 0.2 7.8
Ron Mercer 72 3 23.2 .409 .188 .802 2.1 1.6 0.7 0.2 7.7
Jonathan Bender 46 2 17.8 .441 .358 .714 2.9 0.9 0.2 1.2 6.6
Erick Strickland 71 10 18.0 .429 .388 .805 2.0 2.9 0.5 0.1 6.5
Austin Croshere 49 0 12.9 .411 .391 .815 3.2 1.1 0.1 0.3 5.1
Tim Hardaway 10 0 12.7 .367 .355 .500 1.5 2.4 0.9 0.0 4.9
Jamison Brewer 10 0 8.0 .529 .000 .444 0.9 1.8 0.2 0.1 2.2
Jeff Foster 77 2 10.4 .360 .000 .540 3.6 0.7 0.4 0.3 2.1
Primoz Brezec 22 1 5.0 .395 .000 .600 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 1.9
Fred Jones 19 1 6.1 .375 .286 .750 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.1 1.2

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Jermaine O'Neal 6 6 45.3 .467 .000 .785 17.5 0.7 0.5 3.0 22.8
Ron Artest 6 6 42.0 .389 .387 .800 5.8 2.2 2.5 1.0 19.0
Reggie Miller 6 6 29.3 .283 .160 .913 2.3 2.3 0.2 0.2 9.2
Brad Miller 6 6 22.5 .450 .727 5.5 2.5 0.8 0.0 8.7
Jamaal Tinsley 6 6 30.8 .571 .615 .500 3.0 6.5 0.7 0.0 8.5
Ron Mercer 6 0 22.5 .327 .875 2.2 1.2 1.0 0.2 6.5
Jonathan Bender 3 0 11.3 .333 .333 .667 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.7 5.7
Erick Strickland 5 0 8.4 .429 .200 .800 1.4 1.6 0.2 0.0 4.2
Austin Croshere 4 0 11.5 .263 .000 .857 4.3 0.8 0.0 0.3 4.0
Tim Hardaway 4 0 11.8 .333 .300 0.5 2.3 0.3 0.0 3.3
Al Harrington 6 0 17.2 .212 .000 .667 3.7 0.8 1.0 0.5 3.0
Jeff Foster 6 0 6.3 .545 1.000 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.5 2.3

Player Statistics Citation:[15]

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ↑ 2002–03 Indiana Pacers
  2. ↑ "Stackhouse Goes to Wizards". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 12, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Pacers Ink G Erick Strickland". United Press International. September 11, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  4. ↑ Smith, Sam (October 30, 2002). "Eastern Conference Capsules". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  6. ↑ "76ers Rally to Beat Pacers, 96-93". Midland Daily News. March 11, 2003. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Struggling Pacers Sign Tim Hardaway". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 28, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  8. ↑ "In Sports from United Press International". United Press International. March 28, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  9. ↑ "2002–03 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  10. ↑ "2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Garnett Is the M.V.P. in Jordan's Final All-Star Game". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 9, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  12. ↑ Wyche, Steve (February 10, 2003). "Passing the Torch". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Wallace Chosen Best Defender". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 24, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  14. ↑ "2002–03 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "2002–03 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  16. ↑ Broussard, Chris (May 2, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Celtics Put On a Show to Defeat the Pacers". The New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  17. ↑ Goodman, Jeff (May 2, 2003). "Celtics Finish Off Pacers with Rout". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  18. ↑ Golen, Jimmy (April 30, 2003). "Celtics Advance with Win Over Pacers". CT Insider. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  19. ↑ Robbins, Liz (August 28, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; With Bird in Charge, Pacers Fire Thomas". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Bird Fires Thomas as Coach of Pacers". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 28, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  21. ↑ Beck, Howard (June 27, 2006). "Thomas Is Given an Ultimatum, and Brown a Parting Shot". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  22. ↑ "BASKETBALL; 3-Team Deal Gives Kings Brad Miller". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 25, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Sacramento Reacts, Gets Miller". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 25, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Bucks Ink Three Free Agents". United Press International. July 18, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Pacers Spanks Bulls, 140-89". Associated Press. March 28, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Box Score, March 28, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2022.

See also

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