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.

1980–81 Indiana Pacers season
Head coachJack McKinney
ArenaMarket Square Arena
Results
Record44–38 (.537)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Central)
Conference: 6th (Eastern)
Playoff finishLost to Philadelphia 76ers in East First Round (0-2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWTTV–TV 4
(Bob Lamey)
RadioWIBC–AM 1070
(Bob Lamey)

Jack McKinney was named NBA Coach of the Year for leading the Pacers to the playoffs. McKinney began the 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
Main article: 1980 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team

Roster
1980–81 Indiana Pacers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 5 Abernethy, Tom 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1954–05–6 Indiana
F 42 Bantom, Mike 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1951–12–3 Saint Joseph's
G/F 7 Bradley, Dudley 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1957–3–19 North Carolina
G 10 Buse, Don 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1950–8–10 Evansville
G 16 Davis, Johnny 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1955–10–21 Dayton
C 40 Edwards, James 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1955–11–22 Washington
F/C 45 Johnson, Clemon 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1956–09–12 Florida A&M
F 24 Johnson, George 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1956–12–8 St. John's
G/F 25 Knight, Billy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1952–06–9 Pittsburgh
F 30 McGinnis, George 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1950-08-12 Indiana
F 44 Miller, Dick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1958–04–26 Toledo
G 3 Natt, Kenny 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1958–10–5 Louisiana–Monroe
F 55 Orr, Louis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1958–05–7 Syracuse
G 14 Sichting, Jerry 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 1956–11–29 Purdue
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

Regular season
Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Milwaukee Bucks6022.732–34–726–1523–7
x-Chicago Bulls4537.54915.026–1519–2220–9
x-Indiana Pacers4438.53716.027–1417–2417–12
Atlanta Hawks3151.37829.020–2111–309–21
Cleveland Cavaliers2854.34132.020–218–339–21
Detroit Pistons2161.25639.014–277–349–21
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics6220.756 –
2 y-Milwaukee Bucks6022.7322
3 x-Philadelphia 76ers6220.756–
4 x-New York Knicks5032.61012
5 x-Chicago Bulls4537.54917
6 x-Indiana Pacers4438.53718
7 Washington Bullets3943.47623
8 Atlanta Hawks3151.37831
9 Cleveland Cavaliers2854.34134
10 New Jersey Nets2458.29338
11 Detroit Pistons2161.25641

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 —2–42–41–52–01–14–22–01–11–51–10–21–53–22–41–50–21–11–11–11–12–01–4
Boston 4–2—5–14–12–02–04–11–12–03–31–12–03–36–05–13–32–02–02–02–01–11–15–1
Chicago 4–21–5—5–11–11–15–11–11–13–22–01–13–33–23–32–40–20–20–21–11–12–05–1
Cleveland 5–11–41–5—2–01–13–31–10–22–40–20–20–63–30–50–61–11–11–11–10–21–14–2
Dallas 0–20–21–10–2—3–30–22–30–60–20–60–50–21–11–10–21–41–41–52–31–41–50–2
Denver 1–10–21–11–13–3—2–03–22–41–14–23–21–11–10–21–11–42–32–43–23–22–40–2
Detroit 2–41–41–53–32–00–2—0–21–12–41–10–21–53–31–51–40–20–20–21–10–20–21–5
Golden State 0–21–11–11–13–22–32–0—3–21–15–01–51–11–12–00–22–42–41–42–43–34–11–1
Houston 1–10–21–12–06–04–21–12–3—1–12–42–30–22–00–20–21–43–23–31–44–14–20–2
Indiana 5–13–32–34–22–01–14–21–11–1—2–00–22–45–13–20–61–10–22–01–10–21–14–2
Kansas City 1–11–10–22–06–02–41–10–54–20–2—0–51–12–01–10–23–23–22–43–22–35–11–1
Los Angeles 2–00–21–12–05–02–32–05–13–22–05–0—0–22–02–01–12–43–32–33–36–03–21–1
Milwaukee 5–13–33–36–02–01–15–11–12–04–21–12–0—5–13–33–21–12–01–12–02–02–04–1
New Jersey 2–30–62–33–31–11–13–31–10–21–50–20–21–5—0–61–51–12–00–20–21–11–13–3
New York 4–21–53–35–01–12–05–10–22–02–31–10–23–36–0—3–31–11–10–22–02–02–04–2
Philadelphia 5–13–34–26–02–01–14–12–02–06–02–01–12–35–13–3—1–11–12–02–02–02–04–2
Phoenix 2–00–22–01–14–14–12–04–24–11–12–34–21–11–11–11–1—3–33–26–05–15–01–1
Portland 1–10–22–01–14–13–22–04–22–32–02–33–30–20–21–11–13–3—2–34–24–22–32–0
San Antonio 1–10–22–01–15–14–22–04–13–30–24–23–21–12–02–00–22–33–2—4–13–25–11–1
San Diego 1–10–21–11–13–22–31–14–24–11–12–33–30–22–00–20–20–62–41–4—5–13–20–2
Seattle 1–11–11–12–04–12–32–03–31–42–03–20–60–21–10–20–21–52–42–31–5—4–11–1
Utah 0–21–10–21–15–14–22–01–42–41–11–52–30–21–10–20–20–53–21–52–31–4—0–2
Washington 4–11–51–52–42–02–05–11–12–02–41–11–11–43–32–42–41–10–21–12–01–12–0—

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
Attendance		Record
1 October 10, 1980 @ New Jersey W 110–91 Rutgers Athletic Center 1–0
2 October 11, 1980 Detroit W 100–87 Davis (22) Edwards (16) Davis (11) Market Square Arena 2–0
3 October 15, 1980
7:35 p.m. EST		 Chicago L 97–108 Market Square Arena
6,909		 2–1
4 October 18, 1980
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, 1980 @ Atlanta W 121–116 The Omni 4–1
6 October 22, 1980
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, 1980 Atlanta W 104–97 Market Square Arena 5–2
8 October 25, 1980 @ Cleveland L 100–118 Richfield Coliseum 5–3
9 October 29, 1980 New York W 102–95 Market Square Arena 6–3
10 October 31, 1980
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
Attendance		Record
11 November 1, 1980 New Jersey W 113–100 Market Square Arena 8–3
12 November 2, 1980
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, 1980
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, 1980 @ Golden State L 111–118 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 8–6
15 November 10, 1980 @ Utah L 106–108 Salt Palace Acord Arena 8–7
16 November 11, 1980
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, 1980
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, 1980 Washington W 118–108 Market Square Arena 10–8
18 November 18, 1980 @ Detroit W 102–97 Pontiac Silverdome 11–8
20 November 19, 1980
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, 1980
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, 1980
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, 1980 Atlanta W 110–89 Market Square Arena 13–10
24 November 27, 1980 @ Washington L 108–123 Capital Centre 13–11
25 November 29, 1980 Cleveland W 117–101 Market Square Arena 14–11
December: 7–7 (home: 4–1; road: 3–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
26 December 2, 1980 @ New York W 113–96 Madison Square Garden 15–11
27 December 3, 1980 Washington W 128–115 Market Square Arena 16–11
28 December 5, 1980
9:00 p.m. EST		 @ Milwaukee L 100–102 Bantom (25) Bantom (12) Bantom (8) MECCA Arena
11,052		 16–12
29 December 6, 1980
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, 1980
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, 1980 @ Cleveland W 103–100 Richfield Coliseum 19–12
32 December 13, 1980 @ Washington L 105–114 Capital Centre 19–13
33 December 16, 1980
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, 1980 @ Detroit L 106–109 Pontiac Silverdome 19–15
35 December 20, 1980
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, 1980 New Jersey W 125–109 Market Square Arena 21–15
37 December 26, 1980 @ Los Angeles L 115–116 The Forum 21–16
38 December 27, 1980 @ San Diego L 109–121 San Diego Sports Arena 21–17
39 December 30, 1980 @ Denver L 110–127 McNichols Sports Arena 21–18
January: 10–5 (home: 7–1; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
40 January 2, 1981 @ Atlanta W 109–106 The Omni 22–18
41 January 3, 1981 San Diego W 128–104 Market Square Arena 23–18
42 January 4, 1981 @ New Jersey W 113–104 Rutgers Athletic Center 24–18
43 January 7, 1981 New Jersey W 112–103 Market Square Arena 25–18
44 January 8, 1981 @ New York W 117–116 (OT) Madison Square Garden 26–18
45 January 10, 1981
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, 1981 Detroit W 101–99 Market Square Arena 28–18
47 January 16, 1981 Seattle L 94–95 Market Square Arena 28–19
48 January 18, 1981 Utah W 110–89 Market Square Arena 29–19
49 January 20, 1981
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, 1981
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, 1981
7:30 p.m. EST		 @ Boston L 103–104 Edwards (19) McGinnis (9) Bantom (5) Boston Garden
15,320		 29–22
52 January 24, 1981 Dallas W 107–89 Market Square Arena 30–22
53 January 27, 1981 @ Cleveland L 109–114 Richfield Coliseum 30–23
54 January 28, 1981 Golden State W 108–102 Market Square Arena 31–23
February: 6–7 (home: 3–4; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
All-Star Break
55 February 3, 1981
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, 1981 Los Angeles L 96–102 Market Square Arena 32–24
57 February 6, 1981
7:30 p.m. EST		 @ Boston L 98–111 Bantom (24) Orr (7) McGinnis (7) Boston Garden
15,320		 32–25
58 February 7, 1981 Cleveland W 99–96 Market Square Arena 33–25
59 February 8, 1981 @ Detroit W 124–101 Pontiac Silverdome 34–25
60 February 11, 1981
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, 1981 @ New Jersey L 100–103 Rutgers Athletic Center 34–27
62 February 15, 1981
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, 1981 Atlanta L 96–99 Market Square Arena 35–28
64 February 20, 1981
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, 1981 Portland L 109–113 (OT) Market Square Arena 36–29
66 February 25, 1981
9:00 p.m. EST		 @ Houston L 100–101 Edwards (25) Edwards (11) Davis (12) The Summit
13,121		 36–30
67 February 27, 1981 @ Dallas W 118–111 Reunion Arena 37–30
March: 7–8 (home: 4–4; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
68 March 3, 1981 @ Portland L 112–117 Memorial Coliseum 37–31
69 March 4, 1981 @ Seattle L 93–105 Kingdome 37–32
70 March 6, 1981
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, 1981 Denver W 129–119 Market Square Arena 39–32
72 March 10, 1981
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, 1981 @ Washington W 114–107 Capital Centre 40–33
74 March 13, 1981
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, 1981 Detroit L 94–101 Market Square Arena 41–34
76 March 17, 1981 @ New York L 89–114 Madison Square Garden 41–35
77 March 18, 1981
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, 1981 New York L 107–110 Market Square Arena 41–37
79 March 22, 1981 Cleveland W 107–101 Market Square Arena 42–37
80 March 26, 1981 @ Atlanta W 115–107 The Omni 43–37
81 March 27, 1981 Washington W 122–107 Market Square Arena 44–37
82 March 29, 1981
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
Attendance		Series
1 March 31, 1981
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, 1981
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

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
Billy Knight 82 29.1 53.3 15.8 83.2 5.0 1.9 1.0 0.1 17.5
James Edwards 81 29.3 50.9 0.0 70.3 7.0 2.6 0.4 1.6 15.6
Johnny Davis 76 33.4 46.5 12.1 79.6 2.2 6.3 1.3 0.2 14.4
Mike Bantom 76 31.3 48.9 0.0 70.8 5.6 3.2 1.1 1.1 14.0
George McGinnis 69 26.7 45.3 0.0 53.8 7.7 3.0 1.4 0.4 13.1
George Johnson 43 21.6 46.2 0.0 76.2 6.5 2.0 1.1 0.5 10.6
Louis Orr 82 21.8 49.1 0.0 80.7 4.4 1.6 0.7 0.3 10.5
Dudley Bradley 82 22.8 47.4 12.5 70.2 2.4 2.3 2.3 0.5 8.0
Clemon Johnson 81 20.3 50.4 0.0 59.3 5.8 1.8 0.5 1.5 7.2
Don Buse 58 18.9 39.7 32.8 76.9 1.4 2.4 1.3 0.1 5.1
Kenny Natt 19 7.8 32.5 25.0 63.6 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.1 3.1
Jerry Sichting 47 9.6 35.8 0.0 78.1 0.9 1.5 0.5 0.0 2.0
Tom Abernethy 29 8.9 42.9 0.0 57.9 1.4 0.6 0.2 0.1 2.0
Dick Miller 5 6.8 33.3 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.0 0.8

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Johnny Davis 2 37.0 40.0 0.0 92.3 4.0 5.5 1.0 0.0 20.0
Billy Knight 2 35.5 53.3 0.0 62.5 6.0 2.5 0.5 0.0 18.5
Mike Bantom 2 25.5 75.0 0.0 71.4 4.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 14.5
Louis Orr 2 28.0 36.0 0.0 85.7 5.0 2.0 2.5 0.5 12.0
Clemon Johnson 2 27.5 41.7 0.0 50.0 10.0 1.5 2.0 1.0 7.5
James Edwards 2 28.0 29.2 0.0 0.0 7.0 2.5 0.5 0.5 7.0
George McGinnis 2 19.5 20.0 0.0 50.0 5.0 3.5 1.0 0.0 5.0
George Johnson 2 11.5 62.5 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 5.0
Dudley Bradley 2 9.5 33.3 100.0 100.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 4.5
Don Buse 2 17.5 12.5 25.0 100.0 2.5 3.5 1.5 0.0 2.5
Jerry Sichting 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0

Player Statistics Citation:[1]

Player totals

Season
Player GP GS 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 GS 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

Transactions

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

References
  1. "1980-81 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
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