Pacers guard T.J. McConnell could play key role on whether NBA Finals go to Game 7
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell just keeps doing the unthinkable.
At 6-foot-1, he repeatedly backs his way into the paint and outmaneuvers the NBA's giants for scores. At age 33, he still runs the court with a speed opponents struggle to contend with. And defensively, he often harasses some of the league's top stars into miscues.
Now, though, McConnell faces his biggest challenge: Potentially replacing two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton on Thursday night as the Pacers try to extend their season against Oklahoma City in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Haliburton said Wednesday he will try to play through the strained right calf because of the stakes. Coach Rick Carlisle called his catalyst a game-time decision, an indication that at the very least, McConnell could log more minutes than usual.
Either way, McConnell promises he'll be ready.
'I've just got to inject energy, like I always do,' McConnell said after Wednesday's practice. 'Our starters have willed us here and we've just kind of got to go in there and, like I said, inject energy where it's needed and do our jobs.'
So far, he has thrived in the spotlight. While McConnell's averages of 9.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds in 16.7 minutes look ordinary, his presence has been extraordinary.
He became the first bench player in Finals history to record five assists and five steals in one game, and he helped the Pacers cut a 16-point second-half deficit to two while Haliburton struggled in Monday's 120-109 loss that gave the Thunder a 3-2 lead.
But it's the way he plays the game that has made McConnell such a fan favorite in a basketball-loving state that prefers toughness and defense to stars or point totals.
The truth is, this is how he learned the game from his father, Tim, a longtime prep coach from suburban Pittsburgh who has become a regular in the crowd during this playoff run.
'Everyone knows what they've got to do when they're on the floor with T.J.,' Pacers forward Obi Toppin said. 'We expect him to get in the paint. We expect him to move the ball. We know what he's doing when we're out there, so it makes our job easier.'
Toppin, McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin have formed a tight bond on the court despite their differing backgrounds and styles.
Toppin, the 2019-20 College Basketball Player of the Year, and Mathurin, the first Canadian-born player to attend the NBA's Latin America Academy, were lottery picks. Toppin also won the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk title, while Mathurin was a 2023 all-rookie selection.
McConnell, meanwhile, went undrafted out of Arizona — the same school Mathurin attended — and has had to repeatedly reprove himself.
The critics at Duquesne thought he was too scrawny to make a difference even at a non-power conference school only to watch the Pittsburgh-tough guy transfer to Arizona and help the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight in his two seasons in Tucson.
McConnell's strong preseason in 2015 prompted the Philadelphia 76ers to keep him for the next four seasons before letting him test free agency and land with the Pacers. Then early last season, it appeared McConnell's career might be teetering.
Carlisle told McConnell early last season he wouldn't be in the regular rotation, a discussion Carlisle described as one of the toughest he's ever had. But McConnell wasn't discouraged.
"I think coaches in the league have a tough job because you can't please everybody, so sometimes you're the odd man out," he said. 'So you can put your head down and sulk about it and make excuses or you can put your head down and go to work. I chose the latter."
The Pacers couldn't be happier with the results.
McConnell played so well during last year's breakout playoff run that Indiana gave him a four-year, $45 million contract extension and played even better during this year's run to the Eastern Conference title.
Can he help save their season Thursday night? Perhaps.
Just don't count him out.
'We've been in this position before,' McConnell said. 'So we just, you know, we can't flinch. We've got to be ready for the challenge because they're going to come out ready and, like I said, we just have more work to do.'
___
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: How to watch Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder are facing the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. The odds heavily favored the Thunder over the Pacers headed into this series, which is no surprise considering the Thunder were 68-14 in the regular season and the No. 1 overall seed in the Western Conference. However, the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers managed to hold their own, and have forced the series to Game 7 which will take place in OKC on Sunday night. Game 7 tips off on Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals. How to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Game 7: Date: Sunday, June 22 Advertisement Time: 8 p.m. ET TV channel: ABC Streaming: DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and more NBA Finals channel: All games in the NBA Finals will air on ABC — sweet and simple! How to watch the NBA Finals without cable: Watch the NBA Finals on local ABC DirecTV MySports Pack DirecTV's MySports pack is a curated live TV package geared toward sports fans, with access to local ABC, plus ESPN's suite of channels, TBS, TNT, USA, FS1 and an included subscription to ESPN+ for $69.99/month. The MySports pack guarantees access to thousands of live televised events, plus all the live-streaming and library content on ESPN+, all on one interface and one bill. You can try it for free for five days before committing. Try free at DirecTV Who is playing in the NBA Finals? The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. 2025 NBA Finals TV schedule: All times Eastern. Sunday, June 22 Game 7 - Indiana at Oklahoma City: 8 p.m. (ABC) More ways to watch the NBA Finals:
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mercury Star's 5-Word Reaction After Win Over Sun
Mercury Star's 5-Word Reaction After Win Over Sun originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On Tuesday, the Phoenix Mercury snatched another win as they faced the Connecticut Sun. Led by the Sun's former star, Alyssa Thomas, the Mercury had an 83-75 victory. Thomas had 14 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists to secure their third-straight win. Advertisement With Phoenix's win, the team improved to a 9-4 record in the 2025 WNBA season. One of Mercury's stars, Satou Sabally, had a significant double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Although she didn't have the most efficient scoring night, as she made three of her 11 attempts from the field. But what's important is that Mercury secured the win as they continue their four-game road trip. Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper shoots the ball over Connecticut Sun forward Aneesah Canha-Imagn Images Following the contest, WNBA star Kahleah Copper had a five-word reaction. "DUBS IN THE MF CHAT," Copper posted. This mirrored the post Copper made on X after a 76-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. It was her first game of the new season after recovering from left knee arthroscopy. Advertisement Against the Sun, the four-time All-Star had 13 points on a not-so-efficient 2-for-9 shooting. The team recognized Copper's performance with a special post for her. "YOU ALREADY KNOW," the Mercury posted. "KAHLEAH FREAKIN' COPPER IS BACK." Copper was recovering from surgery and missed the first four weeks of action. In her debut game, the 6-foot-1 wing had an excellent display with her 11 points and two rebounds on 44.4% shooting from the floor. It's her second season in Phoenix, and she's getting a chance to play alongside Sabally and Thomas. The Mercury are off to a flying start to the year and are looking strong. Advertisement Related: WNBA Star Reflects on First Game Against Former Team This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
T.J. McConnell's Dad Shares Emotional Message on Kids Playing in NBA Finals, WNBA
T.J. McConnell's Dad Shares Emotional Message on Kids Playing in NBA Finals, WNBA originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Pacers sit one game away from the franchise's first NBA championship. Advertisement With one more victory to earn, players can't show too much excitement. But fathers of the players can. That's exactly what happened when Pacers guard T.J. McConnell's father, Tim, joined the postgame set on NBA TV after Indiana defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Tim also gave a shout out to his daughter, Megan, who is in her first season with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. "I can't be more proud to say that I have a son in the NBA, and I have a daughter in the WNBA," Tim said. "This is a dream come true." "And I'm going to OKC for my son to play in the championship game to win the world championship." Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Tim praised his son's play from Game 6. But in typical father fashion, he also pointed out his son's flaws. Advertisement "Excellent. Just disappointed he missed two foul shots in the beginning," Tim said. "I kept saying, man, I wish he would have made those two foul shots. "But, he recovered, and we won the game. So, I can forget about the foul shots. Anything can happen in Game 7. We're going to OKC to try and win a world championship, and my son is a part of it, and I can't believe that." Despite the two missed free throws, McConnell finished Game 6 with 12 points on 6-of-12 shooting. The guard also had nine rebounds, six assists and four steals while playing 24 minutes off the bench. Megan has appeared in one game for the Mercury this season. She posted three points with three assists, one rebound and one steal in 13 minutes. Advertisement Related: Mercury Star's 5-Word Reaction After Win Over Sun This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
