'Stop' — T.J. McConnell's mom shields emotional son from ESPN cameras after Indiana Pacers' crushing NBA Finals loss
Emotional T.J. McConnell after the Pacers' heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Thunder. Image via: ESPN (via screengrab)
The Indiana Pacers came within reach of basketball immortality, only to fall short in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With a 103–91 defeat inside a roaring Paycom Center, the Thunder clinched their first title since relocating from Seattle.
But while OKC celebrated, the Pacers were left to wrestle with heartbreak, none more visibly than veteran guard T.J. McConnell. As he walked off the court after giving his all, a quiet moment turned emotional as his mother hugged him and stop the ESPN cameraman to stop filming.
Emotional T.J. McConnell consoled by mom after Game 7 loss, told ESPN to stop filming
T.J. McConnell poured everything into the Pacers' playoff run. After Tyrese Haliburton went down early in Game 7 with what his father later described as an Achilles injury, McConnell stepped up in every way.
Player
MIN
FGM
FGA
FG%
3PM
3PA
3P%
FTM
FTA
FT%
OREB
DREB
REB
AST
STL
BLK
TO
PF
PTS
+/-
T.J. McConnell
28:06:00
8
13
61.5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
6
3
1
1
7
2
16
-12
He dropped 12 straight points in the third quarter, trying to keep Indiana alive as the Thunder surged. Though the Pacers couldn't keep pace with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's brilliance and Oklahoma City's suffocating defense, McConnell's fire never faded. His performances in Games 5 and 6 had already proven his heart, 18 points in Game 5, followed by 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in Game 6.
But numbers couldn't tell the full story.
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As the final buzzer sounded and the Pacers' dream ended, McConnell made his way toward the tunnel. There, ESPN's camera followed him closely, capturing his every step. That's when McConnell's mother, Shelly, (according to USA Today's For the Win outlet) rushed in to console her son. Noticing the camera lingering, she stepped in and firmly asked, 'Stop, stop!'— shielding her son in one of the most vulnerable moments of his career.
According to the footage shared by Awful Announcing on X, Shelly wasn't aggressive, just maternal. She didn't lash out. She simply drew a line, protecting her son from the glare of national television at a time when grief outweighed the game.
Also Read:
Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder (06/22): Box score, player stats, game summary, and more
The scene reminded everyone watching that professional athletes are still someone's child, someone's family. T.J. McConnell may not have hoisted the trophy, but in that moment, he represented the heart of every athlete who gives it all, and every parent who's right there, win or lose.
Correction:
The woman— later confirmed to be Karen Atkeson, the Pacers' vice president of player relations—intervened to shield McConnell from the approaching camera (according to Sports Illustrator).
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
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