Where Do the Pacers Currently Stand in NBA Power Rankings?

The 2026-27 NBA season is coming up quickly and Indiana Pacers fans can't wait to get the year underway. After a brutal year last season, the return of Tyrese Haliburton from a torn Achilles has offered the fans renewed optimism.

Just two short years ago, the Pacers made a magical run to the NBA Finals. They then took the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7 before Haliburton went down with his injury.

Ahead of the upcoming campaign, fans are hoping to see Indiana pick up where it left off.

Looking at the roster, there are a few differences from the Finals team. Gone are Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin. However, the Pacers have replaced them with potential upgrades in Ivica Zubac and Kelly Oubre Jr.

On paper, Indiana looks like a team that should be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.

With that being said, where do the Pacers currently stand in NBA Power Rankings? Heavy NBA reporter Sean Deveney has offered a new look at the situation in his latest power ranking release.

Deveney currently has Indiana placed at No. 14 in the NBA. Fans won't love that ranking, but the majority of the national media has been sleeping on the Pacers following their 19-63 season last year.

Which teams are at the top of Deveney's rankings? Currently, he has placed 13 teams ahead of Indiana. Those teams in order are the Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Atlanta Hawks.

Just behind the Pacers are the Toronto Raptors at No. 15, the Golden State Warriors at No. 16, and the Utah Jazz at No. 17.

Haliburton and company are simply going to have to earn their respect once again. It's easy to forget just how good Indiana was two years ago. 

If the Pacers are able to pick up where they left off, the NBA Finals are a reasonable goal. The talent is there for Indiana to have a special season. At the end of the day, the players simply need to prove it on the court.

The 2026-27 NBA season is scheduled to tip off for the Pacers on October 21 with a road matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Indiana will return for its home opener on October 23 against the Dallas Mavericks.