Pacers' playoff run draws celebrities, sparks homecoming for team legends
Indiana matched New York’s courtside energy with a mix of celebrities, former players & an energized home crowd — showcasing how far the franchise has come. 'It's an exciting time to be a Pacer fan'
NBC’s late-night host Jimmy Fallon aired a parody video ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
It's Knicks vs. Pacers on TNT. The series tips off in New York City. And sitting courtside, you'll see all the stars of NYC. Like Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, Lenny Kravitz, and Bad Bunny. Then the series shifts to Indiana, and you'll see all the stars of Indianapolis. Like Mike Pence, his brother Greg Pence, Karen Pence, local meteorologist Chuck Lofton. A spare tire from the Indy 500. And the woman giving everyone a little Indiana Fever … county treasurer Barbara Lawrence.
New York is the country’s top media market. Indianapolis ranks 25th.
But Indiana’s courtside experience was no joke. The Pacers have long had a small, but passionate group of celebrity fans — Mike Epps, Drew Powell, Jesse Eisenberg, and Vivica A. Fox among them — along with regular appearances from Colts and Fever players, and Indy 500 drivers.
When it came time to host Games 3 and 4 of the conference finals — their second straight trip — Pacers Sports & Entertainment was ready. They delivered a big-league atmosphere that matched New York’s iconic Celebrity Row.
Among those spotted courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse: Epps, John Mellencamp, 50 Cent, Pat McAfee, Triple H, WWE president Nick Khan, Jelly Roll, rapper Rob49, Terry Crews, Reggie Wayne, and NBA superfan Jimmy Goldstein.
Hours after Alex Palou won the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, he made the six-mile drive over to The Fieldhouse to watch the game — and to be celebrated as he wore the winner’s wreath over his Tyrese Haliburton yellow jersey.
But the biggest moment?
The return of more than a dozen former Pacers players who flew in to support the team: Jermaine O’Neal, George Hill, Lance Stephenson, Darren Collison, Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, Stephen Jackson, Rik Smits, Travis Best, Al Harrington, Derrick McKey, Antonio Davis, Dale Davis, Damien Wilkins, and Reggie Miller.
Knicks loyalists Spike Lee, Chalamet, and Stiller also made the trip.
For context, during last year’s conference finals, Indiana hosted a celebrity slate that included Epps, Mayik Bialik, Flavor Flav, Madelyn Cline, Sasha Calle, Hart Denton, and Titus O’Neil.
One of the things the Knicks do well with their game presentation is highlighting individuals sitting on “Celebrity Row” during almost every timeout. The Pacers followed suit.
The Pacers also took a page from New York’s playbook by highlighting those in their own version of "Celebrity Row" during timeouts — a detail not lost on the team.
Tyrese Haliburton, who delivered a masterpiece in Game 4, appreciated the effort and reflected on what it meant to have so many Pacers legends in the building.
“The excitement in the city, seeing all the former players coming out (was great),” “G. Hill, who played with me for a little bit. Danny Granger said it was like his first time back in Indy — that's special for me. J.O. (Jermaine O’Neal) in the building. Obviously, Reggie on commentary.
“It’s special, and when you're winning, you can get people out the house to come watch you and support you.
“It's an exciting time to be a Pacer fan and be a Pacer alumni.”
Granger’s return was especially notable. He was the star during some of the darkest years (2005-14), was traded away, and hadn’t come back. He had disconnected so no updates were shared on social media either
So many fans were happy to cheer on DG, O’Neal and the other former players.
In the win, the Pacers forced 17 turnovers and recorded 11 steals — four of them by Haliburton. One came near the sideline opposite the Pacers’ bench, right in front of George Hill and his wife, Samantha.
Hill, a former teammate and Indy native, was on his feet for much of the game. He had the perfect view as Haliburton swiped the ball just steps away, then the two slapped hands.
“I see G. Hill as one of my vets,” said Haliburton. “He was here with me for a little bit. And we do have constant conversation to this day. But you see Lance in the building, Stephen Jackson was here the other day. Al Harrington. Roy Hibbert. DG. Reggie. All these guys are guys who I've grown up watching.
“When I got traded to the Pacers or just being a basketball fan, you think of all the guys who come before you. They’ve tried to help put this organization in a better place than they found it. And that's what I'm trying to do as well.
“I do think the alumni being here is really special. I think that's really cool to see throughout our league. You see it there in New York as well with all their guys. So it's really cool because I think it's just basketball fans and just fans of the game. You want to see those guys come back.”
This was a team effort by those within the organization. Each game was a sellout, and about seven million were watching on TNT.
The team behind the team was ready for this big stage.
This elevated presentation was the result of years of behind-the-scenes work by Pacers staff, especially those in player relations.
Many at the organizations have spent decades working for the team. Like Karen Atkeson, the vice president of player relations. She started in promotions, then moved into player relations in 2014. She and her staff — which includes Michael Hornback and Jasmine Smits — did a great job bring all those players back.
The franchise has invested in alumni relations: they have an official “Pacers Alumni” logo, often wish happy birthday to former players on social media, and sometimes send care packages.
A visual centerpiece of this initiative is an alumni wall installed at Ascension St. Vincent Center, the team’s practice facility that opened in 2017. Designed by Atkeson, the alumni wall is at the south end of basketball courts and was installed before the 2023-24 season.
“Just a great idea,” head coach Rick Carlisle said back then, during training camp. “Pretty cool. Pretty creative. Getting it all lined up and balanced and all that kind of stuff. A lot of work, I'm impressed.”
Each player is listed
All-Stars are bolded and marked with a star
Hall of Famers are listed in gold
Orlando Johnson, a second-round pick in 2012, visited in January and was moved by what he saw.
“I was like, ‘Man, they gave me a primetime location,’ he told Fieldhouse Files. “Like, you walk in and it's Orlando Johnson right there. So I was like, ‘Oh, man, this is sweet.’
“Just to be able to see all the greats up there, all the people that have had the chance to represent for the Hoosiers out there. That was amazing, man. It really is a special moment, something where if my family ever wants to come take a visit, they'll be able to see it, my daughters can be like, ‘Oh, my dad played here.’ Or my brothers can come back and be like, ‘My brother, he was on the Pacers. He was on those teams and stuff like that.’
“It’s a special feeling, man. And I'm super grateful that Karen was able to bring that life because I know a lot of us former Pacers greatly appreciate that.”
Already, the exterior wall to the practice facility (on Delaware St) highlights achievements by both the team and individuals. It’s a simple, thoughtful gesture that helps make the Pacers a first-class organization.
And it keeps former players wanting to return.