The 2011–12 Indiana Pacers season was the 45th season of the franchise and 36th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Pacers finished the regular season with a 42–24 record and secured a spot in the 2012 NBA playoffs as the 3rd best team in the Eastern Conference. After eliminating the Orlando Magic in the First Round in five games, Indiana lost in the East Semifinals series against the eventual champion Miami Heat in six games. In the offseason, the team drafted future multi-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who was later traded to the San Antonio Spurs.