Editing Indiana Pacers (section)

===2012–2017: The Paul George era===
[[File:Paul George Pacers.jpg|left|alt=George charging|thumb|[[Paul George]] with the Pacers in 2014]]

====2012–2014: Championship aspirations====
On June 26, 2012, general manager [[David Morway]] officially resigned.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wells|first=Mike|title=David Morway resigns as general manager of Pacers|url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20120626/SPORTS04/120626031/David-Morway-resigns-general-manager-Pacers?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CSports%7Cs|work=Indianapolis Star|access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> The following day, president of basketball operations, [[Larry Bird]] stepped down. Bird and Morway were officially replaced by [[Donnie Walsh]] and [[Kevin Pritchard]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Larry Bird officially steps down|date=June 27, 2012|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/8101542/indiana-pacers-part-ways-larry-bird-introduce-donnie-walsh-new-president|access-date=June 27, 2012}}</ref> Walsh returned to the organization after spending the previous three seasons in the Knicks' front office. Pritchard was promoted by the Pacers after serving as the team's director of player personnel. In the [[2012 NBA draft]], the Pacers selected [[Miles Plumlee]] with the 26th pick and acquired [[Orlando Johnson (basketball)|Orlando Johnson]], the 36th pick from the [[Sacramento Kings]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2012.html|title=2012 NBA Draft|publisher=Basketball Reference|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref> The team also acquired key bench players [[Ian Mahinmi]], [[Gerald Green]], and [[D.&nbsp;J. Augustin]].

On April 7, 2013, the Pacers clinched their first Central Division championship since the 2003–04 season. They finished the [[2012–13 NBA season|2012–13 season]] with a 49–32 record, the third seed in the Eastern Conference, and beat the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in the first round of the playoffs. The Pacers then beat the [[New York Knicks]] in six games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2004 to face the defending champs, the [[Miami Heat]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=2013 NBA Eastern Conference Finals|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2013_ECF.html|publisher=Basketball Reference|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref> The Pacers lost Game&nbsp;1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May&nbsp;22, 2013, in overtime 103–102.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20130522/INDMIA/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore|title=Pacers at Heat|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330123450/http://www.nba.com/games/20130522/INDMIA/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore|archive-date=March 30, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May&nbsp;24, 2013, in Game&nbsp;2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers were victorious by a score of 97–93. The game was clinched for Indiana after David West deflected a pass from [[LeBron James]]. The team headed home to Indianapolis, where they had been a perfect 6–0 in the playoffs. The Heat won Game&nbsp;3 in Indianapolis on May&nbsp;26, 2013, with contributions from role players [[Udonis Haslem]] and [[Chris Andersen]], and won 114–96.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20130526/MIAIND/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore|title=Heat at Pacers|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> The Pacers bounced back in Game&nbsp;4 with a strong contribution from Lance Stephenson and won 99–92. The Pacers lost Game&nbsp;5 in Miami on May&nbsp;30 but won Game&nbsp;6 at home on June&nbsp;1, extending the series to Game&nbsp;7. The Pacers were defeated by Miami 99–76.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2013-nba-eastern-conference-finals-pacers-vs-heat.html|title=2013 NBA Eastern Conference Finals|access-date=November 30, 2022|publisher=Basketball Reference}}</ref>

One year after stepping down, [[Larry Bird]] returned as president of basketball operations. [[Donnie Walsh]], who was brought back to hold the position for Bird, was named a consultant for the Pacers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tzucker|first=Jeff|title=Bird Back, Focused on Winning|url=http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/bird-back-focused-winning|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Pacers.com|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=October 21, 2018}}</ref> In the [[2013 NBA draft]], the Pacers selected [[Solomon Hill (basketball)|Solomon Hill]] with the 23rd overall pick.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1681873-solomon-hill-picked-by-indiana-pacers-scouting-report-and-analysis|title=Solomon Hill Picked by Indiana Pacers: Scouting Report and Analysis|work=Bleacher Report|last=Wasserman|first=Jonathan|date=June 28, 2013|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref> During the 2013 off-season, the Pacers made strengthening their bench a priority, resulting in the acquisitions of point guard [[C.&nbsp;J. Watson]], and forwards [[Chris Copeland]] and [[Luis Scola]], the latter being acquired via trade with the [[Phoenix Suns]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2014_transactions.html|title=2013-14 Indiana Pacers Transactions|publisher=Basketball Reference|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Lance Stephenson 2018.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|alt=Stephenson holding a basketball and looking up|[[Lance Stephenson]]]]
The [[2013–14 NBA season|2013–14 season]] saw the Pacers jump to an explosive first half of a season, as they started the season 33–7 thanks to the rise of Paul George and Lance Stephenson. On January&nbsp;14, 2014, Vogel was named the Eastern Conference head coach for [[2014 NBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Indiana's Frank Vogel Earns Spot as Eastern Conference Head Coach for 2014 NBA All-Star Game|url=http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/indianas-frank-vogel-earns-spot-eastern-conference-head-coach-2014-nba-all-star-game|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Pacers.com|date=January 14, 2014|access-date=January 15, 2014|archive-date=January 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115140411/http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/indianas-frank-vogel-earns-spot-eastern-conference-head-coach-2014-nba-all-star-game|url-status=dead}}</ref> Paul George and Roy Hibbert were selected for the All-Star Game.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1962126-nba-all-star-game-2014-rosters-starting-lineups-reserves-and-stat-predictions|title=NBA All-Star Game 2014 Rosters: Starting Lineups, Reserves and Stat Predictions|work=Bleacher Report|date=February 16, 2014|last=DeJohn|first=Kenny|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref> The Pacers signed two-time NBA champion and [[2012 NBA All-Star Game|2012 All-Star]] [[Andrew Bynum]] for the remainder of the season. However, after the All-Star Break, the Pacers collapsed. After starting the season 40–11, the Pacers crashed and stumbled to a 16–15 finish, with rumors of fighting in the locker room being a potential cause for the meltdown. Regardless, they managed to hold onto their first seed in the East, finished the season with a 56–26 record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2014_standings.html|title=2013-14 NBA Standings|publisher=Basketball Reference|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref>

The Pacers started off the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, defeating them in seven games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2014-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hawks-vs-pacers.html|title=2014 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Hawks vs. Pacers|access-date=November 30, 2022|publisher=Basketball Reference}}</ref> The Pacers then defeated Washington in 6 games in the semifinals,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2014-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-wizards-vs-pacers.html|title=2014 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Wizards vs. Pacers|access-date=November 30, 2022|publisher=Basketball Reference}}</ref> then a rematch with the second-seeded and defending champion Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers surprised many critics, taking Game&nbsp;1 in the Eastern Conference Finals with a score of 107–95. Unfortunately for the Pacers, they ended up losing the next three to the Heat before managing to avoid elimination in Game&nbsp;5 with a close win over the Heat. The game was notable for the infamous incident where Lance Stephenson blew into LeBron James' ear.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/pacers-stephenson-blows-lebron-ear-game-5-article-1.1809425|title=VIDEO: Pacers' Lance Stephenson blows in LeBron James' ear during Game 5 vs. Heat|work=New York Daily News|last=O'Leary|first=Daniel|date=May 30, 2014|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref> Despite the win, the Pacers were eliminated in Game&nbsp;6 by the Miami Heat for the third straight year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2014-nba-eastern-conference-finals-heat-vs-pacers.html|title=2014 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Heat vs. Pacers|publisher=Basketball Reference|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref>

====2014–2017: George's injury and final seasons====
[[File:McMillan Hawks.jpg|thumb|150px|alt=McMillan on the sidelines, looking at a game|left|[[Nate McMillan]], Pacers coach from {{nbay|2016|17}} until 2020.]]
On August 1, 2014, Paul George, who was playing in a Team USA scrimmage in preparation for the FIBA World Cup, suffered a catastrophic open fracture to his right leg (tibia and fibula) while trying to defend [[James Harden]] on a fast break. As he tried to defend Harden from advancing to the rim, George's leg caught on the stanchion of the hoop and fractured.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/11298573/paul-george-suffers-apparent-serious-leg-injury-team-usa-showcase-game|title=Paul George suffers serious injury|work=ESPN|location=Las Vegas|date=August 2, 2014|access-date=December 1, 2022|last=Windhorst|first=Brian}}</ref> He was stretchered off of the court. A day later, George successfully underwent surgery. He was expected to miss the entire [[2014–15 NBA season|2014–15 season]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/paul-george-injury-update-broken-leg-out-for-the-season-indiana-pacers-team-usa/dm0ooocoi7wj1lyvqg3dtaso5|title=Reports: Paul George to miss entire 2014-15 season|work=Sporting News|date=August 3, 2014|last=Machir|first=Troy|access-date=December 1, 2022}}</ref> On April&nbsp;5, 2015, Paul George returned from his injury to play in a game against the [[Miami Heat]]. George shot 5 of 12 from the field and tallied two steals, two rebounds, and two assists in a winning effort. He played for fifteen minutes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/game/mia-vs-ind-0021401149/box-score|title=Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Apr 5, 2015 Box Scores|publisher=NBA|date=April 5, 2015|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref> After failing to reach the [[2015 NBA playoffs|2015 NBA Playoffs]], the team departed with core players [[Roy Hibbert]], [[David West (basketball)|David West]], and [[Luis Scola]]. In the [[2015 NBA draft]], the Pacers selected [[Myles Turner]] 11th overall.

During the offseason, the Pacers signed star [[Monta Ellis]] as well as role player [[Jordan Hill (basketball)|Jordan Hill]], while acquiring [[Ty Lawson]] during the season. Paul George fully recovered from his injury and made the [[2016 NBA All-Star Game]] as a starter. The Pacers would go on to lose Game&nbsp;7 in the first round against the [[Toronto Raptors]] ending their [[2015-16 Indiana Pacers season|2015-2016 season]]. Despite the Pacers going {{win-loss record|w=45|l=37}} and making the playoffs,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2016.html|title=2015-16 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats - Basketball-Reference.com|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref> on May&nbsp;5, 2016, Pacers' president [[Larry Bird]] announced that head coach [[Frank Vogel]]'s contract would not be renewed, citing a need for "a new voice" to lead the players.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pacers Announce Frank Vogel Will Not Return as Coach|url=http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/larry-bird-hold-press-conference-thursday-morning-160504|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Pacers.com|date=May 5, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/pacers-part-coach-vogel-230700761.html|title=Pacers part with coach Vogel|work=Yahoo.com|date=May 5, 2016|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514142015/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pacers-part-coach-vogel-230700761.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later that month former [[Seattle SuperSonics]] and [[Portland Trail Blazers]] head coach [[Nate McMillan]] was promoted to replace Vogel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pacers name assistant McMillan as new coach|url=http://www.nba.com/2016/news/05/16/indiana-pacers-name-nate-mcmillan-as-new-coach/index.html|website=NBA.com|access-date=May 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521000225/http://www.nba.com/2016/news/05/16/indiana-pacers-name-nate-mcmillan-as-new-coach/index.html|archive-date=May 21, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The team made several off-season moves, acquiring new starters [[Jeff Teague]] and [[Thaddeus Young]], as well as key bench players [[Al Jefferson]] and [[Aaron Brooks (basketball)|Aaron Brooks]]. During the season, the Pacers waived [[Rodney Stuckey]] in order to sign former fan-favorite [[Lance Stephenson]]. The Pacers qualified to play in the 2017 [[2017 NBA playoffs|NBA Playoffs]] with a 42–40 record, which earned them the number&nbsp;7 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they were given a quick exit by the [[2016 NBA Finals|defending champions]], the [[2016–17 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland Cavaliers]], who swept them in four games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2017/04/23/lebron-james-cavs-sweep-pacers-advance-second-round-nba-playoffs/100819262/|title=LeBron James, Cavs sweep Pacers, advance to second round of NBA playoffs|work=USA Today|last=Zillgitt|first=Jeff|date=April 23, 2017|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref>