1990–91 Indiana Pacers season

1990–91 Indiana Pacers season
Head coach
General managerDonnie Walsh
OwnerHerbert Simon
ArenaMarket Square Arena
Results
Record41–41 (.500)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Central)
Conference: 7th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Celtics 2–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWXIN–TV 59
Prime Sports Midwest
(Jerry Baker, Clark Kellogg, Kristi Lee)
RadioWNDE–AM 1260
(Mark Boyle, Bobby "Slick" Leonard)

The 1990–91 Indiana Pacers season was the 15th season for the Indiana Pacers in the National Basketball Association, and their 24th season as a franchise.[1] During the off-season, the Pacers signed free agent Michael Williams.[2][3]

With the addition of Michael Williams, the Pacers struggled with a 9–16 start to the regular season, as head coach Dick Versace was fired and replaced with Bob Hill.[4][5] Under Hill, the team held a 19–27 record at the All-Star break,[6] posted a six-game winning streak in February, and played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season. The Pacers finished in fifth place in the Central Division with a 41–41 record, and earned the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.[7]

Reggie Miller averaged 22.6 points, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and led the Pacers with 112 three-point field goals, while Chuck Person averaged 18.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and sixth man Detlef Schrempf provided the team with 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game off the bench, and was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.[8][9][10] In addition, Vern Fleming provided with 12.7 points and 5.3 assists per game, while Michael Williams contributed 11.1 points, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and Rik Smits averaged 10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Meanwhile, LaSalle Thompson averaged 7.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, Mike Sanders contributed 5.8 points per game, second-year guard George McCloud contributed 4.6 points per game, and Greg Dreiling provided with 3.5 points and rebounds per game each.[11]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, rookie power forward, and second-round draft pick Kenny Williams participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.[12][13] Despite stellar seasons, neither Miller or Person were selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game.[14]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1991 NBA playoffs, the Pacers faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion Boston Celtics, who were led by the quartet of All-Star forward, and former Indiana State University star, Larry Bird, Reggie Lewis, All-Star forward and sixth man Kevin McHale, and All-Star center Robert Parish. The Celtics took a 2–1 series lead, but the Pacers managed to win Game 4 at home, 116–113 at the Market Square Arena to even the series. In Game 5 at the Boston Garden, and during the second quarter, Bird fell down on the court and landed hard on the right side of his face, as he had to go to the locker room; despite the injury, Bird returned to the game and finished with 32 points, as the Celtics defeated the Pacers, 124–121. The Pacers lost to the Celtics in a hard-fought five-game series.[15][16][17]

The Pacers finished 25th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 465,650 at the Market Square Arena during the regular season, which was the third-lowest in the league.[11][18] For the season, the Pacers changed their primary logo, removing the arm from the letter "P" from the previous logo,[19] and changed their uniforms, replacing the color blue with dark navy blue to their color scheme of golden yellow.[20][21] The team's new primary logo would remain in use until 2005, while the new uniforms would last until 1997.

Draft picks

Main article: 1990 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 45 Antonio Davis PF  United States UTEP
2 46 Kenny Williams PF  United States Elizabeth City State

Roster

1990–91 Indiana Pacers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 5 Byron Dinkins 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1967–06–15 Charlotte
C 54 Greg Dreiling 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1962–11–07 Kansas
G 10 Vern Fleming 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1962–02–04 Georgia
G 20 George McCloud 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1967–05–27 Florida State
G 31 Reggie Miller 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–08–24 UCLA
F 45 Chuck Person 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–06–27 Auburn
G 33 Mike Sanders 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1960–05–07 UCLA
F 11 Detlef Schrempf 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1963–01–21 Washington
C 24 Rik Smits 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–08–23 Marist
C 41 LaSalle Thompson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1961–06–23 Texas
F 44 Kenny Williams 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1969–06–09 Elizabeth City State
G 4 Micheal Williams 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–23 Baylor
F 14 Randy Wittman 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1959–10–28 Indiana
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls 61 21 .744 — 35–6 26–15 25–5
x-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 11 32–9 18–23 19-11
x-Milwaukee Bucks 48 34 .585 13 33–8 15–26 16–14
x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 18 29–12 14–27 11–19
x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 20 29-12 12–29 15-15
Cleveland Cavaliers 33 49 .402 28 23–18 10–31 11-19
Charlotte Hornets 26 56 .317 35 17–24 9–32 8–22
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls 61 21 .744 –
2 y-Boston Celtics 56 26 .683 5
3 x-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 11
4 x-Milwaukee Bucks 48 34 .585 13
5 x-Philadelphia 76ers 44 38 .537 17
6 x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 18
7 x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 20
8 x-New York Knicks 39 43 .476 22
9 Cleveland Cavaliers 33 49 .402 28
10 Washington Bullets 30 52 .366 31
11 New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 35
12 Charlotte Hornets 26 56 .317 35
13 Miami Heat 24 58 .293 37
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

Regular season

1990–91 game log
Total: 41–41 (home: 29–12; road: 12–29)
November: 5–10 (home: 5–2; road: 0–8)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 2, 1990 New Jersey W 100–81 Market Square Arena 1–0
2 November 3, 1990 @ Atlanta L 120–121 The Omni 1–1
3 November 6, 1990 Minnesota W 98–96 Market Square Arena 2–1
4 November 9, 1990 Cleveland W 122–107 Market Square Arena 3–1
5 November 10, 1990 @ Miami L 105–120 Miami Arena 3–2
6 November 13, 1990 Philadelphia L 100–108 Market Square Arena 3–3
7 November 14, 1990 @ Cleveland L 95–113 Richfield Coliseum 3–4
8 November 16, 1990 Miami W 106–80 Market Square Arena 4–4
9 November 17, 1990 @ Orlando L 89–96 Orlando Arena 4–5
10 November 21, 1990 Detroit L 100–108 (OT) Market Square Arena 4–6
11 November 23, 1990 Houston W 112–111 Market Square Arena 5–6
12 November 24, 1990 @ Washington L 105–107 (OT) Capital Centre 5–7
13 November 27, 1990 @ Milwaukee L 98–112 Bradley Center 5–8
14 November 28, 1990 @ Philadelphia L 106–116 The Spectrum 5–9
15 November 30, 1990 @ Chicago L 95–124 Chicago Stadium 5–10
December: 6–8 (home: 5–2; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
16 December 2, 1990 Milwaukee W 107–103 Market Square Arena 6–10
17 December 4, 1990 @ Minnesota L 81–83 Target Center 6–11
18 December 5, 1990 Phoenix W 126–121 Market Square Arena 7–11
19 December 7, 1990 Portland L 105–127 Market Square Arena 7–12
20 December 8, 1990 Cleveland W 114–99 Market Square Arena 8–12
21 December 11, 1990 @ Portland L 96–122 Memorial Coliseum 8–13
22 December 12, 1990 @ Seattle L 90–99 Seattle Center Coliseum 8–14
23 December 15, 1990 @ Utah W 124–116 Salt Palace 9–14
24 December 16, 1990 @ L.A. Lakers L 112–115 Great Western Forum 9–15
25 December 19, 1990 Washington L 112–114 (OT) Market Square Arena 9–16
26 December 21, 1990 Charlotte W 137–114 Market Square Arena 10–16
27 December 22, 1990 @ Chicago L 118–128 Chicago Stadium 10–17
28 December 26, 1990 @ Boston L 132–152 Boston Garden 10–18
29 December 29, 1990 New Jersey W 114–105 Market Square Arena 11–18
January: 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 2, 1991 San Antonio W 121–109 Market Square Arena 13–17
31 January 4, 1991 @ Atlanta L 96–111 The Omni 13–18
32 January 5, 1991 @ Houston L 99–112 The Summit 13–19
33 January 8, 1991 L.A. Clippers L 107–122 Market Square Arena 13–20
34 January 10, 1991 @ New York W 129–122 Madison Square Garden 14–20
35 January 12, 1991 Milwaukee W 118–110 Market Square Arena 15–20
36 January 15, 1991 Atlanta L 106–117 Market Square Arena 15–21
37 January 16, 1991 @ Milwaukee L 119–126 Bradley Center 15–22
38 January 19, 1991 Utah W 117–104 Market Square Arena 15–23
39 January 21, 1991 L.A. Lakers L 114–120 Market Square Arena 15–24
40 January 23, 1991 @ Philadelphia W 110–109 The Spectrum 16–24
41 January 25, 1991 @ Washington
(at Baltimore, MD) 		W 106–100 Baltimore Arena 17–24
42 January 30, 1991 Charlotte W 123–105 Market Square Arena 18–24
February: 7–6 (home: 4–2; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
43 February 1, 1991 @ Miami L 113–116 Miami Arena 18–25
44 February 2, 1991 Seattle W 106–100 Market Square Arena 19–25
45 February 5, 1991 @ Dallas L 109–114 Reunion Arena 19–26
46 February 7, 1991 @ San Antonio L 108–118 HemisFair Arena 19–27
All-Star Break
47 February 12, 1991 New York L 110–114 Market Square Arena 19–28
48 February 13, 1991 @ Detroit W 105–101 The Palace of Auburn Hills 20–28
49 February 17, 1991 Sacramento W 113–110 Market Square Arena 21–28
50 February 19, 1991 @ Charlotte W 115–102 Charlotte Coliseum 22–28
51 February 20, 1991 Orlando W 122–120 (OT) Market Square Arena 23–28
52 February 22, 1991 @ Cleveland W 106–98 Richfield Coliseum 24–28
53 February 24, 1991 Boston W 115–109 Market Square Arena 25–28
54 February 26, 1991 @ New Jersey L 104–129 Brendan Byrne Arena 25–29
55 February 27, 1991 Dallas L 104–108 Market Square Arena 25–30
March: 11–6 (home: 8–1; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
56 March 1, 1991 Cleveland W 118–115 Market Square Arena 26–30
57 March 2, 1991 Chicago W 135–114 Market Square Arena 27–30
58 March 4, 1991 @ Boston
(at Hartford, CT) 		L 101–126 Hartford Civic Center 27–31
59 March 5, 1991 Charlotte W 112–101 Market Square Arena 28–31
60 March 7, 1991 Denver W 145–125 Market Square Arena 29–31
61 March 9, 1991 Detroit L 112–114 Market Square Arena 29–32
62 March 12, 1991 @ Golden State L 117–129 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 29–33
63 March 14, 1991 @ Sacramento W 107–103 ARCO Arena 29–34
64 March 15, 1991 @ L.A. Clippers W 121–109 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 30–34
65 March 17, 1991 @ Denver W 130–92 McNichols Sports Arena 31–34
66 March 18, 1991 @ Phoenix L 103–111 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 32–34
67 March 20, 1991 Miami W 117–107 Market Square Arena 33–34
68 March 22, 1991 Boston W 121–109 Market Square Arena 34–34
69 March 23, 1991 @ Chicago L 119–133 Chicago Stadium 34–35
70 March 26, 1991 Atlanta W 123–113 Market Square Arena 35–35
71 March 27, 1991 @ Detroit L 93–102 The Palace of Auburn Hills 35–36
72 March 31, 1991 Golden State W 127–120 (OT) Market Square Arena 36–36
April: 5–5 (home: 3–2; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
73 April 3, 1991 Philadelphia L 112–114 Market Square Arena 36–37
74 April 5, 1991 Washington W 117–103 Market Square Arena 37–37
75 April 6, 1991 @ Atlanta L 110–137 The Omni 37–38
76 April 9, 1991 @ Charlotte W 122–120 Charlotte Coliseum 38–38
77 April 10, 1991 Chicago L 96–101 Market Square Arena 38–39
78 April 12, 1991 @ New York L 108–112 Madison Square Garden 38–40
79 April 14, 1991 Detroit W 125–107 Market Square Arena 39–40
80 April 16, 1991 @ New Jersey W 132–126 Brendan Byrne Arena 40–40
81 April 19, 1991 New York W 130–118 Market Square Arena 41–40
82 April 20, 1991 @ Milwaukee L 100–133 Bradley Center 41–41
1990–91 schedule

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log
Eastern Conference First Round: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 26, 1991 @ Boston L 120–127 Reggie Miller (24) Detlef Schrempf (10) Chuck Person (7) Boston Garden
14,890 		0–1
2 April 28, 1991 @ Boston W 130–118 Chuck Person (39) Dreiling, Schrempf (7) Micheal Williams (10) Boston Garden
14,890 		1–1
3 May 1, 1991 Boston L 105–112 Miller, Schrempf (20) Detlef Schrempf (10) Micheal Williams (7) Market Square Arena
16,530 		1–2
4 May 3, 1991 Boston W 116–113 Chuck Person (30) LaSalle Thompson (7) Micheal Williams (9) Market Square Arena
16,530 		2–2
5 May 5, 1991 @ Boston L 121–124 Chuck Person (32) LaSalle Thompson (9) Micheal Williams (10) Boston Garden
14,890 		2–3
1991 schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Reggie Miller SG 82 82 2,972 281 331 109 13 1,855 36.2 3.4 4.0 1.3 .2 22.6
LaSalle Thompson C 82 77 1,946 563 147 63 63 625 23.7 6.9 1.8 .8 .8 7.6
Detlef Schrempf PF 82 3 2,632 660 301 58 22 1,320 32.1 8.0 3.7 .7 .3 16.1
Chuck Person SF 80 79 2,566 417 238 56 17 1,474 32.1 5.2 3.0 .7 .2 18.4
Mike Sanders SF 80 7 1,357 185 106 37 26 463 17.0 2.3 1.3 .5 .3 5.8
Rik Smits C 76 38 1,690 357 84 24 111 828 22.2 4.7 1.1 .3 1.5 10.9
Kenny Williams PF 75 0 527 131 31 11 31 220 7.0 1.7 .4 .1 .4 2.9
George McCloud SF 74 0 1,070 118 150 40 11 343 14.5 1.6 2.0 .5 .1 4.6
Greg Dreiling C 73 42 1,031 255 51 24 29 259 14.1 3.5 .7 .3 .4 3.5
Micheal Williams PG 73 37 1,706 176 348 150 17 813 23.4 2.4 4.8 2.1 .2 11.1
Vern Fleming PG 69 45 1,929 214 369 76 13 877 28.0 3.1 5.3 1.1 .2 12.7
Randy Wittman SF 41 0 355 33 25 10 4 74 8.7 .8 .6 .2 .1 1.8
Jawann Oldham C 4 0 19 3 0 0 0 6 4.8 .8 .0 .0 .0 1.5
Byron Dinkins† PG 2 0 5 1 0 0 0 2 2.5 .5 .0 .0 .0 1.0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Pacers only.

Playoffs

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Reggie Miller SG 5 5 193 16 14 8 2 108 38.6 3.2 2.8 1.6 .4 21.6
Chuck Person SF 5 5 192 28 16 5 0 130 38.4 5.6 3.2 1.0 .0 26.0
Micheal Williams PG 5 5 183 16 42 14 0 103 36.6 3.2 8.4 2.8 .0 20.6
LaSalle Thompson C 5 5 126 31 8 4 7 45 25.2 6.2 1.6 .8 1.4 9.0
Greg Dreiling C 5 5 75 18 0 0 0 14 15.0 3.6 .0 .0 .0 2.8
Detlef Schrempf PF 5 0 179 36 11 2 0 79 35.8 7.2 2.2 .4 .0 15.8
Vern Fleming PG 5 0 115 17 23 1 3 47 23.0 3.4 4.6 .2 .6 9.4
Rik Smits C 5 0 88 18 2 1 7 49 17.6 3.6 .4 .2 1.4 9.8
Mike Sanders SF 5 0 41 4 4 4 2 15 8.2 .8 .8 .8 .4 3.0
Kenny Williams PF 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
Randy Wittman SF 1 0 6 0 1 0 0 2 6.0 .0 1.0 .0 .0 2.0

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ 1990-91 Indiana Pacers
  2. ^ "Pacers Sign Free Agent Williams". United Press International. August 10, 1990. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  3. ^ Watson, Phil (August 24, 2016). "Indiana Pacers: 25 Best Players to Play for the Pacers". Hoops Habit. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Slater, Jim (December 20, 1990). "Hill Replaces Versace as Pacer Coach". United Press International. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  5. ^ "Pacers Fire Versace in Last Year of 3-Year Contract; Hill Promoted". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 21, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "1990–91 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Schrempf Gets Award". The New York Times. May 1, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "Schrempf Nips Majerle as NBA's Top 6th Man". Deseret News. May 1, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  10. ^ "NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "1990–91 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  12. ^ "All-Star Saturday Participants". The Hour. Associated Press. February 9, 1991. p. 22. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  13. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  14. ^ "1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  15. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 6, 1991). "BASKETBALL; The Legend Grows for Bird and Celtics". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  16. ^ Wilbon, Michael (May 6, 1991). "Bird Hits Floor, Turns Other Cheek and Decks Pacers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  18. ^ "1990–91 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  19. ^ "Indiana Pacers Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  20. ^ "Indiana Pacers Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "Indiana Pacers Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.

See also

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