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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Was it all just hype around Reggie Miller, or did his numbers speak out loud about the legacy that graced the Indiana Pacers for 18 years? When it comes to loyalty, consistency, and clutch shooting, Miller’s name stands tall in NBA history. He spent all 18 seasons of his professional career—from 1987 to 2005—wearing an Indiana Pacers jersey. If you ever caught a game during that era, chances are you remember the chills of “Miller Time,” those late-game moments when Reggie would snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with his signature long-range bombs.

Those who witnessed Reggie at 6’7″ would know he wasn’t just a shooter—he was a scoring machine, and by the end of his run, he left the court as Indiana’s all-time leading scorer. Though primarily an off-ball shooting guard, he mastered the art of movement and spacing. His ability to get open looks made him a nightmare to defend. So, let’s have a clear look at how

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A closer look at Reggie Miller’s regular-season stats

In 1,389 regular-season appearances, Miller racked up 25,279 points, averaging 18.2 per night. But that’s not all—he also pulled down 4,182 rebounds and dished out 4,141 assists, with steady 3.0 RPG and APG averages. And then there was his elite shooting efficiency: 47.1 percent from the field, 39.5 percent beyond the arc, and a jaw-dropping 88.8 percent from the free-throw line. To top it off, his 2,560 career three-pointers stood atop the league record books until Ray Allen edged past him in 2011.

Reggie wasn’t just efficient—he was relentless. Averaging over 18 points per game across his career, he crossed the 1,700-point mark in three consecutive seasons from 1994–95 to 1996–97. In 1992, he dropped a jaw-dropping 57 points in a single game. He had six seasons with over 20 points per game, reaching a career-best 24.6 PPG in 1997–98. His shooting splits were a benchmark of excellence. And yes, according to Hoophall, he joined the rare 50–40–90 club in 1993–94—shooting “at least 50 percent FG, 40 percent 3PT, 90 percent FT.”

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USA Today via Reuters

What’s more, durability was part of his greatness. The 5x All-Star logged an astounding 47,620 minutes over his career and frequently played more than 80 games a season. However, it’s not just the regular season where Miller exploded. Despite not claiming any NBA championship, he managed some impressive numbers for himself in the postseason.

Reggie Miller’s playoff career statistics

When the lights were brightest, Miller didn’t just show up—he showed out. If you’ve followed his career, you’d know that it seemed as if he had a special gear for the postseason. Across 144 playoff games, he posted averages of 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest.

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Did Reggie Miller's loyalty to the Pacers cost him an NBA championship?

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That scoring bump from his regular-season numbers wasn’t just a fluke—it was a reflection of his clutch DNA. Nearly 20 times in the playoffs, he dropped 30 or more points, including a memorable 44-point explosion against the New York Knicks in the 1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals, which stood as a franchise playoff record at the time.

Over 15 playoff runs with the Indiana Pacers, Reggie Miller consistently pushed his team deep into the postseason. He was a driving force behind five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals (1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2004) and their lone NBA Finals appearance. During that 2000 Finals series against the Lakers, he still had plenty in the tank, averaging 24.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 rebounds over six games.

While the Pacers never secured a championship under his watch, his 2,972 total postseason points and legendary clutch performances remain a cornerstone of his enduring legacy. No wonder he earned multiple accolades in his name over his legendary career.

Reggie Miller’s awards, honors, and notable achievements

When you think of clutch shooting, unwavering loyalty, and pure basketball grit, the 5x All-Star’s name instantly comes to mind. Over his career, Miller stacked up accolades that reflected not just his skill but his lasting impact on the sport. And here’s something special—he wasn’t just another All-Star. In 1995, he became the first-ever Indiana Pacer to be voted in as a starter, a true nod from fans to his influence on the court.

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Of course, the ultimate recognition? That came in 2012, when he earned his spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—cementing his place among the game’s greats. But Reggie Miller’s reach went beyond NBA hardwood. On the international stage, he proudly wore the red, white, and blue, helping Team USA clinch gold at both the 1994 FIBA World Championship and the 1996 Olympic Games.

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Back home, the Pacers made sure his legacy would live forever. They retired his iconic No. 31 jersey in 2006, a heartfelt tribute to the man who gave them nearly two decades of greatness. Beyond the game, the former Pacers star was honored as USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2002 and received the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2004. Fast forward to 2021, and he was rightly named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, recognized as one of the top 75 players to ever grace the league.

But the story doesn’t end with trophies and medals. Reggie Miller still holds the title of the Pacers’ all-time leading scorer. Apart from this, he also stands among the top six in all-time NBA three-pointers, the number standing at 2,560. And let’s not forget—he spent over 18,000 minutes on the court with one franchise across 18 seasons. That kind of loyalty and endurance? Rare. He also became the first Pacer to lead the team to the NBA Finals in 2000, proving that he didn’t just play for Indiana—he defined it.

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Did Reggie Miller's loyalty to the Pacers cost him an NBA championship?

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