Redemption in Red, White, and Blue: The 1973 ABA Finals

In the spring of 1973, the American Basketball Association—often the wild, high-flying counterpart to the NBA—produced one of its most compelling championship series to date. The 1973 ABA Finals pitted the Indiana Pacers, the league’s most consistent powerhouse, against the upstart Kentucky Colonels. The result was a gritty, high-octane seven-game series that encapsulated everything the ABA stood for: offensive flair, charismatic stars, raucous fanbases, and a hunger for respect in a basketball world that still saw the league as the NBA’s little brother.

Background: A Rivalry Years in the Making

By 1973, the Indiana Pacers had firmly established themselves as the ABA’s premier franchise. They had captured the league championship in 1970 and 1972, built around a solid core of stars like Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, and Freddie Lewis, all under the stewardship of coach Slick Leonard.

The Kentucky Colonels, meanwhile, were a franchise defined by potential. They had talent—immense talent—in the form of 7’2″ Artis Gilmore, the dominant center who won both Rookie of the Year and MVP in 1972, and explosive guard Louie Dampier, a long-time ABA star. But they hadn’t yet broken through when it counted most.

The 1973 season saw both teams dominate. Indiana finished second in the Western Division with a 51–33 record, while Kentucky topped the Eastern Division at 56–28. Their clash in the Finals was not only a battle of talent, but of ABA identity: established royalty versus ambitious challenger, grind versus glamor.

ABA Western Division Finals Game 6 Utah Stars at Indiana Pacers Saturday April 21, 1973

The Series: A War of Attrition and Talent

The 1973 ABA Finals would go the full seven games, with both teams trading haymakers and momentum.

Indiana Pacers – The ABA Years(1967-1976)

Game 1: Colonels Take Command

In front of a roaring crowd at Freedom Hall in Louisville, the Colonels jumped ahead in the series with a 92–88 win. Artis Gilmore set the tone with a 28-point, 31-rebound masterclass. Kentucky’s interior dominance looked like it might overwhelm Indiana.

Game 2: Pacers Respond

Backed by a balanced offensive attack and Mel Daniels’ bruising play in the paint, the Pacers edged out a 114–105 win to split the opening games in Kentucky. Freddie Lewis scored 25 points, showing his uncanny ability to deliver in clutch situations.

Game 3: Hoosier Hospitality

Game 3 shifted to Indianapolis, and the Pacers fed off their home crowd to take a 2–1 lead in the series. Roger Brown—steady and skilled—dropped 30 points, while the Indiana defense frustrated Gilmore, forcing Kentucky into foul trouble early.

Game 4: Colonels Dig Deep

Refusing to let the series slip, the Colonels roared back in Game 4. Gilmore once again dominated, posting a monstrous double-double, and Louie Dampier came alive with a barrage of outside shots to knot the series at 2–2.

Game 5: Kentucky Seizes Momentum

Back in Louisville, the Colonels pulled off a statement win in Game 5, 106–98. Gilmore was unstoppable again—26 points and 27 rebounds—and their defense smothered Indiana’s perimeter shooters. At this point, it looked like Kentucky might finally be ready to break through.

Game 6: Lewis Saves the Pacers

Facing elimination at home, the Pacers leaned on Freddie Lewis, who put together one of the defining performances of the series: 31 points, clutch free throws, and fearless leadership. Indiana won 109–93, and the series was headed for a dramatic Game 7.

1973 ABA Finals Game 6 (Second half)

Game 7: Champions Rise

On May 14, 1973, in the cauldron of Freedom Hall, the Pacers delivered one of the most complete performances in ABA Finals history. Indiana came out with a controlled aggression, slowing down Gilmore with a combination of smart double teams and physical play. Mel Daniels, though undersized compared to Gilmore, battled with relentless energy, grabbing 17 rebounds and altering shots in the paint.

But it was Freddie Lewis who truly shined. With 23 points, 8 assists, and ice-cold composure, Lewis was the linchpin. Roger Brown added timely buckets, and George McGinnis—a rising star—added muscle and scoring punch. The Pacers prevailed, 88–81, capturing their third ABA title in four years.

Remember The ABA: Mel “Slim” Daniels (1973-74)

Legacy of the Series

The 1973 ABA Finals remain one of the most riveting series in the league’s nine-year history. It showcased the league’s evolving talent, with future Hall of Famers like Gilmore and McGinnis sharing the court. For Indiana, it cemented their dynasty status—the closest thing the ABA had to the Celtics of the 1960s. For Kentucky, it was another bitter defeat, though their championship would finally come in 1975.

Freddie Lewis was named Finals MVP, a nod to his consistent excellence throughout the series and his clutch performances in the biggest moments.

Indiana Pacers Highlight Film “3 in ’73”

Conclusion: The ABA at Its Peak

The 1973 Finals symbolized the height of ABA competition—deep teams, compelling stars, passionate fans. It was a moment when the league could stand tall next to its NBA rival and say, “We have something special too.” Though the ABA would merge with the NBA just three years later, the echoes of that series—of Gilmore’s dominance, Lewis’ heroics, and the Pacers’ resilience—still linger in basketball history.

Remember The ABA: George McGinnis (1973)