# 1980–81 Indiana Pacers season

The 1980–81 NBA season was Indiana's fifth season in the NBA and their 14th season as a franchise. The Pacers had their first NBA winning season and made their first NBA playoff appearance, which was quickly scuttled by a 2–0 sweep from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Pacers wouldn't return to the playoffs again until 1987.
Jack McKinney was named NBA Coach of the Year for leading the Pacers to the playoffs. McKinney began the previous season as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, but suffered a near-fatal bicycling accident in November 1979 after only 13 games. The Lakers went on to win the championship under Paul Westhead, and McKinney was forced to step aside by Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who helped him land the Indiana job.

## Offseason
### NBA draft

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |

## Regular season

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Milwaukee Bucks | 60 | 22 | .732 | – | 34–7 | 26–15 | 23–7 |
| x-Chicago Bulls | 45 | 37 | .549 | 15.0 | 26–15 | 19–22 | 20–9 |
| x-Indiana Pacers | 44 | 38 | .537 | 16.0 | 27–14 | 17–24 | 17–12 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 31 | 51 | .378 | 29.0 | 20–21 | 11–30 | 9–21 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 28 | 54 | .341 | 32.0 | 20–21 | 8–33 | 9–21 |
| Detroit Pistons | 21 | 61 | .256 | 39.0 | 14–27 | 7–34 | 9–21 |
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Boston Celtics | 62 | 20 | .756 | – |
| 2 | y-Milwaukee Bucks | 60 | 22 | .732 | 2 |
| 3 | x-Philadelphia 76ers | 62 | 20 | .756 | – |
| 4 | x-New York Knicks | 50 | 32 | .610 | 12 |
| 5 | x-Chicago Bulls | 45 | 37 | .549 | 17 |
| 6 | x-Indiana Pacers | 44 | 38 | .537 | 18 |
| 7 | Washington Bullets | 39 | 43 | .476 | 23 |
| 8 | Atlanta Hawks | 31 | 51 | .378 | 31 |
| 9 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 28 | 54 | .341 | 34 |
| 10 | New Jersey Nets | 24 | 58 | .293 | 38 |
| 11 | Detroit Pistons | 21 | 61 | .256 | 41 |
Notes
* z, y – division champions
* x – clinched playoff spot

### Record vs. opponents

1980-81 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | KCK | LAL | MIL | NJN | NYK | PHI | PHO | POR | SAS | SDC | SEA | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 2–4 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 3–2 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–4 |
| Boston | 4–2 | — | 5–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 |
| Chicago | 4–2 | 1–5 | — | 5–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 3–2 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 |
| Cleveland | 5–1 | 1–4 | 1–5 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 0–5 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 3–3 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 0–6 | 0–2 | 0–6 | 0–5 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 1–5 | 0–2 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | — | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 2–3 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 |
| Detroit | 2–4 | 1–4 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 |
| Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–0 | — | 3–2 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 1–4 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 1–1 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | — | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 3–2 | 3–3 | 1–4 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 0–2 |
| Indiana | 5–1 | 3–3 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 5–1 | 3–2 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 |
| Kansas City | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 4–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 5–1 | 1–1 |
| Los Angeles | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 5–0 | — | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 2–3 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 3–2 | 1–1 |
| Milwaukee | 5–1 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 5–1 | 3–3 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–1 |
| New Jersey | 2–3 | 0–6 | 2–3 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | — | 0–6 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 |
| New York | 4–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 5–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 6–0 | — | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 |
| Philadelphia | 5–1 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 6–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 5–1 | 3–3 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 3–3 | 3–2 | 6–0 | 5–1 | 5–0 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | — | 2–3 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 2–3 | 2–0 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 3–2 | — | 4–1 | 3–2 | 5–1 | 1–1 |
| San Diego | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–6 | 2–4 | 1–4 | — | 5–1 | 3–2 | 0–2 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 0–6 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 1–5 | — | 4–1 | 1–1 |
| Utah | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 3–2 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 1–4 | — | 0–2 |
| Washington | 4–1 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — |

## Game log
### Regular season

1980–81 game log Total: 44–38 (Home: 27–14; Road: 17–24) :
October: 7–3 (home: 4–2; road: 3–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 10
@ New Jersey
W 110–91
Rutgers Athletic Center
1–0
2
October 11
Detroit
W 100–87
Davis (22)
Edwards (16)
Davis (11)
Market Square Arena
2–0
3
October 15 7:35 p.m. EST
Chicago
L 97–108
Market Square Arena 6,909
2–1
4
October 18 7:35 p.m. EST
Boston
W 103–99
Edwards (18)
McGinnis (11)
Bantom (6)
Market Square Arena 11,713
3–1
5
October 21
@ Atlanta
W 121–116
The Omni
4–1
6
October 22 7:35 p.m. EST
Milwaukee
L 105–119
Bantom (20)
G. Johnson (14)
Bantom (6)
Market Square Arena 7,138
4–2
7
October 24
Atlanta
W 104–97
Market Square Arena
5–2
8
October 25
@ Cleveland
L 100–118
Richfield Coliseum
5–3
9
October 29
New York
W 102–95
Market Square Arena
6–3
10
October 31 8:35 p.m. EST
@ Chicago
W 121–114
Knight (22)
C. Johnson (7)
Davis (10)
Chicago Stadium 5,127
7–3 :
November: 7–8 (home: 5–2; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
11
November 1
New Jersey
W 113–100
Market Square Arena
8–3
12
November 2 8:30 p.m. EST
@ Milwaukee
L 121–135
Edwards (23)
Knight (7)
Bradley, Davis, Knight (5)
MECCA Arena 10,980
8–4
13
November 4 9:35 p.m. EST
@ Phoenix
L 108–109
Bantom (18)
Edwards, C. Johnson (9)
Bradley (5)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,018
8–5
14
November 8
@ Golden State
L 111–118
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
8–6
15
November 10
@ Utah
L 106–108
Salt Palace Acord Arena
8–7
16
November 11 8:30 p.m. EST
@ San Antonio
W 119–113
Knight (52)
Edwards (6)
Bradley (10)
HemisFair Arena 11,282
9–7
17
November 13 8:00 p.m. EST
Philadelphia
L 103–130
Orr (20)
G. Johnson (10)
Bradley (6)
Market Square Arena 11,421
9–8
18
November 14
Washington
W 118–108
Market Square Arena
10–8
18
November 18
@ Detroit
W 102–97
Pontiac Silverdome
11–8
20
November 19 7:35 p.m. EST
Boston
L 91–103
Knight (27)
G. Johnson, Knight (11)
Davis (7)
Market Square Arena 10,815
11–9
21
November 21 8:05 p.m. EST
@ Philadelphia
L 88–97
G. Johnson (19)
G. Johnson (16)
Davis (7)
The Spectrum 8,237
11–10
22
November 22 7:35 p.m. EST
Houston
W 129–120
Knight (22)
C. Johnson (11)
Davis (10)
Market Square Arena 7,357
12–10
23
November 26
Atlanta
W 110–89
Market Square Arena
13–10
24
November 27
@ Washington
L 108–123
Capital Centre
13–11
25
November 29
Cleveland
W 117–101
Market Square Arena
14–11 :
December: 7–7 (home: 4–1; road: 3–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
26
December 2
@ New York
W 113–96
Madison Square Garden
15–11
27
December 3
Washington
W 128–115
Market Square Arena
16–11
28
December 5 9:00 p.m. EST
@ Milwaukee
L 100–102
Bantom (25)
Bantom (12)
Bantom (8)
MECCA Arena 11,052
16–12
29
December 6 7:35 p.m. EST
Kansas City
W 107–88
Davis (20)
Edwards (10)
Davis (6)
Market Square Arena 7,099
17–12
30
December 10 7:35 p.m. EST
Phoenix
W 102–90
Edwards (17)
Edwards (10)
Davis (7)
Market Square Arena 9,140
18–12
31
December 11
@ Cleveland
W 103–100
Richfield Coliseum
19–12
32
December 13
@ Washington
L 105–114
Capital Centre
19–13
33
December 16 7:35 p.m. EST
Philadelphia
L 107–109
Knight (24)
McGinnia (16)
Davis (5)
Market Square Arena 12,539
19–14
34
December 19
@ Detroit
L 106–109
Pontiac Silverdome
19–15
35
December 20 8:35 p.m. EST
@ Kansas City
W 107–103
Davis (19)
McGinnis (15)
McGinnis (6)
Kemper Arena 5,910
20–15
36
December 23
New Jersey
W 125–109
Market Square Arena
21–15
37
December 26
@ Los Angeles
L 115–116
The Forum
21–16
38
December 27
@ San Diego
L 109–121
San Diego Sports Arena
21–17
39
December 30
@ Denver
L 110–127
McNichols Sports Arena
21–18 :
January: 10–5 (home: 7–1; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
40
January 2
@ Atlanta
W 109–106
The Omni
22–18
41
January 3
San Diego
W 128–104
Market Square Arena
23–18
42
January 4
@ New Jersey
W 113–104
Rutgers Athletic Center
24–18
43
January 7
New Jersey
W 112–103
Market Square Arena
25–18
44
January 8
@ New York
W 117–116 (OT)
Madison Square Garden
26–18
45
January 10 7:35 p.m. EST
Milwaukee
W 106–102
Knight (21)
McGinnis (16)
Buse (6)
Market Square Arena 14,505
27–18
46
January 14
Detroit
W 101–99
Market Square Arena
28–18
47
January 16
Seattle
L 94–95
Market Square Arena
28–19
48
January 18
Utah
W 110–89
Market Square Arena
29–19
49
January 20 8:35 p.m. EST
@ Chicago
L 105–121
Bantom (25)
C Johnson (9)
Edwards (7)
Chicago Stadium 5,519
29–20
50
January 21 8:05 p.m. EST
@ Philadelphia
L 104–118
McGinnis (25)
Edwards (8)
Bradley, Davis, McGinnis (4)
The Spectrum 9,752
29–21
51
January 23 7:30 p.m. EST
@ Boston
L 103–104
Edwards (19)
McGinnis (9)
Bantom (5)
Boston Garden 15,320
29–22
52
January 24
Dallas
W 107–89
Market Square Arena
30–22
53
January 27
@ Cleveland
L 109–114
Richfield Coliseum
30–23
54
January 28
Golden State
W 108–102
Market Square Arena
31–23 :
February: 6–7 (home: 3–4; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
All-Star Break
55
February 3 8:30 p.m. EST
@ Milwaukee
W 108–99
Knight (24)
Orr (11)
Bantom, Davis (9)
MECCA Arena 11,052
32–23
56
February 4
Los Angeles
L 96–102
Market Square Arena
32–24
57
February 6 7:30 p.m. EST
@ Boston
L 98–111
Bantom (24)
Orr (7)
McGinnis (7)
Boston Garden 15,320
32–25
58
February 7
Cleveland
W 99–96
Market Square Arena
33–25
59
February 8
@ Detroit
W 124–101
Pontiac Silverdome
34–25
60
February 11 7:35 p.m. EST
Milwaukee
L 101–107
Orr (21)
Orr (11)
Davis (7)
Market Square Arena 11,817
34–26
61
February 13
@ New Jersey
L 100–103
Rutgers Athletic Center
34–27
62
February 15 4:05 p.m. EST
Chicago
W 113–107
McGinnis (27)
Bantom (11)
Davis (6)
Market Square Arena 10,513
35–27
63
February 18
Atlanta
L 96–99
Market Square Arena
35–28
64
February 20 7:35 p.m. EST
San Antonio
W 109–106
McGinnis (24)
McGinnis (12)
Davis (8)
Market Square Arena 10,419
36–28
65
February 22
Portland
L 109–113 (OT)
Market Square Arena
36–29
66
February 25 9:00 p.m. EST
@ Houston
L 100–101
Edwards (25)
Edwards (11)
Davis (12)
The Summit 13,121
36–30
67
February 27
@ Dallas
W 118–111
Reunion Arena
37–30 :
March: 7–8 (home: 4–4; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
68
March 3
@ Portland
L 112–117
Memorial Coliseum
37–31
69
March 4
@ Seattle
L 93–105
Kingdome
37–32
70
March 6 7:35 p.m. EST
Boston
W 110–104
Knight (32)
Bantom (6)
Davis (6)
Market Square Arena 17,032
38–32
71
March 8
Denver
W 129–119
Market Square Arena
39–32
72
March 10 7:35 p.m. EST
Philadelphia
L 102–103
Knight (22)
Edwards, Knight (8)
Davis (11)
Market Square Arena 17,032
39–33
73
March 12
@ Washington
W 114–107
Capital Centre
40–33
74
March 13 7:30 p.m. EST
@ Boston (at Hartford, CT)
W 101–94
Davis (24)
C. Johnson (17)
Davis (9)
Hartford Civic Center 15,622
41–33
75
March 14
Detroit
L 94–101
Market Square Arena
41–34
76
March 17
@ New York
L 89–114
Madison Square Garden
41–35
77
March 18 8:05 p.m. EST
@ Philadelphia
L 95–107
McGinnis (22)
Edwards, McGinnis (9)
Knight (4)
The Spectrum 12,756
41–36
78
March 20
New York
L 107–110
Market Square Arena
41–37
79
March 22
Cleveland
W 107–101
Market Square Arena
42–37
80
March 26
@ Atlanta
W 115–107
The Omni
43–37
81
March 27
Washington
W 122–107
Market Square Arena
44–37
82
March 29 1:05 p.m. EST
Chicago
L 97–101
Knight (25)
Edwards (9)
Davis (12)
Market Square Arena 16,663
44–38 :
1980–81 schedule :

### Playoffs

1981 playoff game log :
Eastern Conference First Round: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
March 31 8:05 p.m. EST
@ Philadelphia
L 108–124
Knight (25)
C. Johnson, Knight (7)
Davis (8)
The Spectrum 7,288
0–1
2
April 2 8:05 p.m. EST
Philadelphia
L 85–96
Davis (21)
C. Johnson (13)
Knight (4)
Market Square Arena 8,921
0–2 :
1981 schedule :

### Starting Lineups
#### Regular season

| Game | Date | Opponent | F | F | C | G | G |
| 4 | 10–18–1980 | Boston | #30 McGinnis | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #7 Bradley |
| 6 | 10–22–1980 | Milwaukee | | | | | |
| 13 | 11–4–1980 | @ Phoenix | #30 McGinnis | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #7 Bradley |
| 17 | 11–13–1980 | Philadelphia | #24 G. Johnson | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #7 Bradley | #25 Knight |
| 20 | 11–19–1980 | Boston | #24 G. Johnson | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 21 | 11–21–1980 | @ Philadelphia | #24 G. Johnson | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 22 | 11–22–1980 | Houston | #24 G. Johnson | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 29 | 12–6–1980 | Kansas City | #24 G. Johnson | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #7 Bradley |
| 30 | 12–10–1980 | Phoenix | #24 G. Johnson | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #7 Bradley |
| 33 | 12–16–1980 | Philadelphia | #30 McGinnis | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 35 | 12–20–1980 | @ Kansas City | #30 McGinnis | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #7 Bradley |
| 50 | 1–21–1981 | @ Philadelphia | #30 McGinnis | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 51 | 1–23–1981 | @ Boston | #30 McGinnis | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 57 | 2–6–1981 | @ Boston | #30 McGinnis | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 66 | 2–25–1981 | @ Houston | #42 Bantom | #30 McGinnis | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 70 | 3–6–1981 | Boston | #30 McGinnis | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 72 | 3–10–1981 | Philadelphia | #42 Bantom | #55 Orr | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 74 | 3–13–1981 | @ Boston | #30 McGinnis | #55 Orr | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 77 | 3–18–1981 | @ Philadelphia | #30 McGinnis | #55 Orr | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |

#### Playoffs

| Game | Round | Date | Opponent | F | F | C | G | G |
| 1 | Eastern Conference First Round | 3–31–1981 | @ Philadelphia | #24 G. Johnson | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |
| 2 | Eastern Conference First Round | 4–2–1981 | Philadelphia | #45 C. Johnson | #42 Bantom | #40 Edwards | #16 Davis | #25 Knight |

## Game officials
### Regular season

| Game | Date | Opponent | Officials |
| 4 | 10–18–1980 | Boston | Tommy Nunez and John Vanak |
| 6 | 10–22–1980 | Milwaukee | Hugh Evans and Darell Garretson |
| 13 | 11–4–1980 | @ Phoenix | Dick Bavetta and Lee Jones |
| 17 | 11–13–1980 | Philadelphia | Hugh Evans and Paul Mihalak |
| 20 | 11–19–1980 | Boston | Joe Crawford and Joe Gushue |
| 21 | 11–21–1980 | @ Philadelphia | Hugh Evans and Ed Middleton |
| 22 | 11–22–1980 | Houston | Jim Capers and Darell Garretson |
| 29 | 12–6–1980 | Kansas City | Joe Crawford and Joe Gushue |
| 30 | 12–10–1980 | Phoenix | Jess Kersey and Earl Strom |
| 33 | 12–16–1980 | Philadelphia | Darell Garretson and Tommy Nunez |
| 35 | 12–20–1980 | @ Kansas City | Jim Capers and Wally Rooney |
| 50 | 1–21–1981 | @ Philadelphia | Jess Kersey and Ralph Lembo |
| 51 | 1–23–1981 | @ Boston | Leroy Alexander and Jake O'Donnell |
| 57 | 2–6–1981 | @ Boston | Jim Capers and Tommy Nunez |
| 66 | 2–25–1981 | @ Houston | Mike Mathis and Ed Rush |
| 70 | 3–6–1981 | Boston | Hue Hollins and Jack Madden |
| 72 | 3–10–1981 | Philadelphia | Jess Kersey and Wally Rooney |
| 74 | 3–13–1981 | @ Boston | Ed Middleton and Earl Strom |
| 77 | 3–18–1981 | @ Philadelphia | Hugh Evans and Joe Gushue |

### Playoffs

| Game | Round | Date | Opponent | Officials | Alternate |
| 1 | Eastern Conference First Round | 3–31–1981 | @ Philadelphia | John Vanak and Lee Jones | |
| 2 | Eastern Conference First Round | 4–2–1981 | Philadelphia | Jack Madden and Earl Strom | |

## Player statistics
### Ragular season

| Player | POS | GP | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Billy Knight | SG | 82 | 2,385 | 410 | 157 | 84 | 12 | 1,436 | 29.1 | 5.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | .1 | 17.5 |
| Dudley Bradley | SG | 82 | 1,867 | 193 | 188 | 186 | 37 | 657 | 22.8 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 2.3 | .5 | 8.0 |
| Louis Orr | SF | 82 | 1,787 | 361 | 132 | 55 | 25 | 859 | 21.8 | 4.4 | 1.6 | .7 | .3 | 10.5 |
| James Edwards | C | 81 | 2,375 | 571 | 212 | 32 | 128 | 1,266 | 29.3 | 7.0 | 2.6 | .4 | 1.6 | 15.6 |
| Clemon Johnson | C | 81 | 1,643 | 468 | 144 | 44 | 119 | 582 | 20.3 | 5.8 | 1.8 | .5 | 1.5 | 7.2 |
| Johnny Davis | PG | 76 | 2,536 | 170 | 480 | 95 | 14 | 1,094 | 33.4 | 2.2 | 6.3 | 1.3 | .2 | 14.4 |
| Mike Bantom | SF | 76 | 2,375 | 427 | 240 | 80 | 85 | 1,061 | 31.3 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 14.0 |
| George McGinnis | PF | 69 | 1,845 | 528 | 210 | 99 | 28 | 903 | 26.7 | 7.7 | 3.0 | 1.4 | .4 | 13.1 |
| Don Buse | SG | 58 | 1,095 | 84 | 140 | 74 | 8 | 297 | 18.9 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 1.3 | .1 | 5.1 |
| Jerry Sichting | PG | 47 | 450 | 43 | 70 | 23 | 1 | 93 | 9.6 | .9 | 1.5 | .5 | .0 | 2.0 |
| George L. Johnson | PF | 43 | 930 | 278 | 86 | 47 | 23 | 457 | 21.6 | 6.5 | 2.0 | 1.1 | .5 | 10.6 |
| Tom Abernethy$^†$ | SF | 29 | 259 | 40 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 59 | 8.9 | 1.4 | .6 | .2 | .1 | 2.0 |
| Kenny Natt | SG | 19 | 149 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 59 | 7.8 | .8 | .5 | .3 | .1 | 3.1 |
| Dick Miller$^†$ | SF | 5 | 34 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 6.8 | .8 | .8 | .6 | .0 | .8 |
* $^†$ Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Pacers only.

### Playoffs

| Player | POS | GP | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Johnny Davis | PG | 2 | 74 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 37.0 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 1.0 | .0 | 20.0 |
| Billy Knight | SG | 2 | 71 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 35.5 | 6.0 | 2.5 | .5 | .0 | 18.5 |
| Louis Orr | SF | 2 | 56 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 24 | 28.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | .5 | 12.0 |
| James Edwards | C | 2 | 56 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 28.0 | 7.0 | 2.5 | .5 | .5 | 7.0 |
| Clemon Johnson | C | 2 | 55 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 27.5 | 10.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 7.5 |
| Mike Bantom | SF | 2 | 51 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 29 | 25.5 | 4.0 | .5 | .5 | .5 | 14.5 |
| George McGinnis | PF | 2 | 39 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 19.5 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | .0 | 5.0 |
| Don Buse | SG | 2 | 35 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 17.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.5 | .0 | 2.5 |
| George L. Johnson | PF | 2 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 11.5 | 2.0 | .5 | .0 | .0 | 5.0 |
| Dudley Bradley | SG | 2 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 9.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | .0 | 4.5 |
| Jerry Sichting | PG | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 |

## Player totals
### Season

| Player | GP | MP | FGM | FGA | 3FGM | 3FGA | FTM | FTA | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
| Knight | 82 | 2385 | 546 | 1025 | 3 | 19 | 341 | 410 | 191 | 219 | 410 | 157 | 84 | 12 | 177 | 155 | 1436 |
| Edwards | 81 | 2375 | 511 | 1004 | 0 | 3 | 244 | 347 | 191 | 380 | 571 | 212 | 32 | 128 | 164 | 304 | 1266 |
| Davis | 76 | 2536 | 426 | 917 | 4 | 33 | 238 | 299 | 56 | 114 | 170 | 480 | 95 | 14 | 167 | 179 | 1094 |
| Bantom | 76 | 2375 | 431 | 882 | 0 | 6 | 199 | 281 | 150 | 277 | 427 | 240 | 80 | 85 | 197 | 284 | 1061 |
| McGinnis | 69 | 1845 | 348 | 768 | 0 | 7 | 207 | 385 | 164 | 364 | 528 | 210 | 99 | 28 | 221 | 242 | 903 |
| Johnson | 43 | 930 | 182 | 394 | 0 | 5 | 93 | 122 | 99 | 179 | 278 | 86 | 47 | 23 | 85 | 120 | 457 |
| Orr | 82 | 1787 | 348 | 709 | 0 | 6 | 163 | 202 | 172 | 189 | 361 | 132 | 55 | 25 | 123 | 153 | 859 |
| Abernethy | 29 | 259 | 24 | 56 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 29 | 59 |
| Natt | 19 | 149 | 25 | 77 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 18 | 59 |
| Miller | 5 | 34 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 |

### Playoffs

| Player | GP | MP | FGM | FGA | 3FGM | 3FGA | FTM | FTA | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
| Davis | 2 | 74 | 14 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 40 |
| Knight | 2 | 71 | 16 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 37 |
| Bantom | 2 | 51 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 29 |
| Orr | 2 | 56 | 9 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 24 |
| Edwards | 2 | 56 | 7 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 14 |
| Johnson | 2 | 23 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| McGinnis | 2 | 39 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 10 |

## Awards and records

* Jack McKinney, NBA Coach of the Year Award
* Dudley Bradley, NBA All-Defensive Second Team

## Transactions
### Free agents

Subtractions :
| Player | Date signed | New team |
| Joe Hassett | Expansion Draft May 28, 1980 | Dallas Mavericks |