To be clear, when I think about basketball in the State of Indiana, my mind goes to two places: High school gymnasiums and college campuses. Where it does not go is to thoughts of the NBA’s Indianapolis Pacers.
No disrespect to the Pacers, a franchise that cut its teeth in the no-holds-barred days of the American Basketball Association (ABA), was one of just four ABA franchises to jump to the National Basketball Association (the San Antonio Spurs, New York [nee Jersey] Nets, and Denver Nuggets [nee Rockets] were the others), and a team that’s had a modicum of success but never hoisted the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Nah, I’ve got no beef with the Pacers, but it’s not where I go if I’m thinking Indiana basketball.
Which made Gainbridge Fieldhouse the perfect first stop during Event No. 14 of my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project which focused on Indiana basketball at all levels.
As my traveling companion for this leg of Event No. 14, my long-ago Sunday School pal, Scott Heller, joined me for the couple hour jaunt down I-69 from my dad’s place in Adams County, IN. Though an Indiana lifer, it was Scott’s first time attending a Pacers’ game.
All of which, in my estimation, made this Pacers-Bulls game a low-risk destination to begin a slate of seven basketball games in six venues over seven days. And, guess what, I’d say it greatly exceeded my modest expectations.
The Venue
Clockwise from upper left, the exterior of the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance to Gainbridge Fieldhouse; a more vertical signage at Gainbridge; the view from our seats; our view as we approached the fieldhouse.
Conseco Fieldhouse was originally dedicated in November 1999 but later gave way to Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and, to its current iteration, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2021.
The unique thing about Gainbridge is that – in true Indiana form – it was built specifically with basketball in mind – thus the fieldhouse design and feel. While I’m told it has the ability to host ice hockey, that is not its primary function (the Indianapolis Fuel of the East Coast Hockey League [ECHL] in suburban Fishers). This is a basketball first venue and its evidenced in the design.
The upper level (where we sat) is pitched forward and at a steeper angle to bring fans closer to the action. It seems sightlines are terrific no matter where you’re at. Like many old-time fieldhouses, there are also windows at the top of both sidelines, but due to the late-afternoon start time, blackout curtains kept any natural sunlight from entering the venue.
We were in a corner diagonally from the Pacers’ bench and we had no issue with seeing the action on the floor, most of the stands, and the scoreboard. The only part of the arena we could not see clearly from our seats were the retired jersey banners of the Pacers and their WNBA sisters, the Fever.
Taking a Lap at Gainbridge
In true Indianapolis form, Scott and I took a lap (the Indy 500, get it!?!) around the concourse to see what amenities were available.
There are nods to Indiana basketball throughout.
It began upon clearing security when there hanging in the large entry atrium were eight banners for the reigning Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) boys and girls state basketball champions. (Note: The 2025 girls championships were the day before and those banners were not yet hanging.) While I’m sure other states may give their high school champs the same treatment, I’ve not seen it in any of the other arenas I’ve visited. It was a nice nod, in my opinion, to Indiana basketball’s roots.
Beyond the entry, which featured a large dome and images of the current Pacers’ team (see background of the photo at the top of this post), there were plenty of activities for youngsters in attendance at this Sunday 5 p.m. matinee: Face painting, dancing and photo ops with the Power Pack team, and autographs with members of the Pacemates.
There were also a few showcases that included nods to the Pacers’ history in the ABA, the Fever’s history, as well as Pacers and Fever who’ve found their way to the hallowed halls of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.
Clockwise from upper left, the showcase featuring the Pacers’ ABA history includes its championship trophies; former Fever player Tamika Catchings is enhrined in the Basketball HoF; Pacers’ player Reggie Miller and coach turned broadcaster Bob “Slick” Leonard are also Basketball HoFers with jerseys displayed; the Pacemates had an autograph session pre-game; the Power Pack were mugging with young fans on the concourse; the Fever have their own display case on the concourse; the full HoFer showcase.
The Game
I’d love to say it was a classic NBA Central Division class that rekindled memories of Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan doing battle. Alas, that would be stretching the truth a tad.
For three quarters we saw plenty of offensive fireworks and limited defense. The Pacers led after 36 minutes, 95-92, and then turned the screws on the Bulls during the fourth quarter (allowing only 20 points) to ease away with a 127-112 victory.
If I’m being honest, the highlight of this leg of Event No. 14 had nothing to do with basketball. Rather, it had everything to do with catching up with someone I went from seeing weekly to not seeing at all for a few decades to now seeing only sporadically. If there was more than moment’s lag in the conversation it was probably due to the noise in the fieldhouse and not because either of us lacked for anything to discuss.
All in all, Gainbridge Fieldhouse proved the perfect backdrop to begin my week in the Hoosier state.
Above, the retired numbers and names of the Pacers and Fever; below the championship banners for the two franchises.
