ESPN’s remote set in Indianapolis for the NBA Finals.
For the second consecutive season, the Pacers were initially scheduled for nine national TV appearances in an 82-game season (11%).
But amid injuries and mounting losses, six of those games were ultimately dropped by the league’s broadcast partners.
The latest — and final removal — came for their April 7 home matchup against Minnesota. The network instead opted to air Hornets at Celtics (47–24), a team regularly featured on national broadcasts and now the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
As a result, just three Pacers games (3.6%) reached a national audience. That still exceeds their typical exposure over the previous several seasons. Following their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, national viewers saw Indiana host Oklahoma City on opening night and Boston later in the season, along with an NBA Cup game in Cleveland.
Oct. 23 vs. Oklahoma City | ESPN
Nov. 21 at Cleveland | Prime Video
Dec. 8 vs. Sacramento | Peacock → replaced by Suns at Timberwolves
Dec. 26 vs. Boston | Prime Video → replaced by 76ers at Bulls
Jan. 12 vs. Boston | Peacock
Jan. 23 at Oklahoma City | Prime Video → replaced by Nuggets at Bucks
Feb. 2 vs. Houston | Peacock → replaced by 76ers at Clippers
Mar. 13 vs. New York | Prime Video → replaced by Cavaliers at Mavericks
Apr. 7 v Minnesota | NBC → replaced by Hornets at Celtics
The changes also meant additional broadcasts shifted to the local side, with FanDuel Sports Network Indiana carrying more games featuring Chris Denari, Quinn Buckner and Jeremiah Johnson on the call.
2024-25: 9 (scheduled)
2023-24: 1
2022-23: 1
2021-22: 1
2020-21: 3