The Indiana Pacers have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year, hearkening back to the Pacers teams in the mid-2010s that made it to two straight ECFs as well. Alas,

I’m hanging in there.” That’s what Paul George told ESPN’s Shams Charania back in February, offering fans a peek into his health struggles during a turbulent first season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

In doing so, they're drawing inspiration from their historic 2016 Finals rally, a comeback famously led by future Hall of Famer LeBron James. Following Sunday's game, team owner Dan Gilbert took to social media to rally support and express belief in another potential turnaround.

The East's top seed has been eliminated. With their 114-105 win in Game 5 on Tuesday night, the Indiana Pacers knocked out the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs and clinched a spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season.