The 1994–95 NBA season was the Pacers' 19th season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th season as a franchise. After appearing in their first Conference Finals, the Pacers improved their fortunes by adding Mark Jackson, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers. The move would pay off as the Pacers won their first Division title since joining the NBA. The Pacers finished the season with a 52–30 record, as Rik Smits had a career year as he averaged 17.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Reggie Miller was selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game, which was his first All-Star appearance since 1990. In the playoffs, the Pacers faced off against the Atlanta Hawks for the second consecutive season. The Pacers swept the Hawks in three straight games. As they advanced to the second round of the playoffs, the Pacers found themselves in a rematch with New York Knicks. As the Knicks had a better regular season record, the series started in New York. In Game 1, the Pacers were down 6 points with 16.4 seconds left. Miller would single-handedly stun the Knicks by nailing a 3-pointer and then stealing the inbounds pass and tying the game with another 3-pointer. Knicks fan Spike Lee was just a few feet away. Miller would add 2free throws and give the Pacers a legendary comeback win. The Pacers lost Game 2 and the series returned to Indiana. After four games, the Pacers took a 3–1 series lead. The Knicks would bounce back and force a 7th game at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers would emerge victorious as Patrick Ewing's last-second shot did not go in the basket. With a 2-point win, the Pacers qualified for the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season. The Pacers were very familiar with their opponents. Like their first and second round opponents, the Pacers played the Orlando Magic the previous postseason. The Pacers pushed a strong Orlando team to a 7th game before losing the series. The home team would win every game in the series. Following the season, Byron Scott left in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft, Vern Fleming signed as an unrestricted free agent with the New Jersey Nets, and Sam Mitchell re-signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Offseason
NBA Draft
Round
Pick
Player
Position
Nationality
College
1
15
Eric Piatkowski
SG
United States
Nebraska
2
41
William Njoku
PF
/Canada
St. Mary's
2
44
Damon Bailey
G
United States
Indiana
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Schedule
Playoffs
East First Round
Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks: Pacers win series 3-0
