McConnell registered 16 points (8-13 FG), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 28 minutes during Sunday's 103-91 loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
McConnell was arguably one of Indiana's best players in the NBA Finals after playing a modest role in the regular season -- he averaged 17.9 minutes per night across 79 regular-season contests with 9.1 points, 4.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 51.9 percent shooting from the field. McConnell, who has four years and $44.8 million left on his contract, is set to take on a larger role in 2025-26 due to Tyrese Haliburton being sidelined by an Achilles tear he suffered during Game 7.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Shines bright in Game 6 victory
Rotowire
McConnell finished Thursday's 108-91 win over the Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals with 12 points (6-12 FG, 0-2 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and four steals across 24 minutes.
McConnell stepped up on both ends of the floor, shouldering more of the point guard duties with Tyrese Haliburton limited due to a calf injury. The veteran McConnell has now scored double digits in four of the past five games, while tallying 13 total steals during that time. Although Haliburton will almost certainly be available for Game 7, McConnell will likely be called upon to lighten the load as Indiana looks for its first NBA title.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Supplies 18 points from bench
Rotowire
McConnell racked up 18 points (8-14 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, four assists and two steals in 22 minutes during Monday's 120-109 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
McConnell turned in 13 points in the third quarter and kept the Pacers in the hunt alongside Obi Toppin's seven points in the stanza. McConnell's results faded after a solid Game 2 performance against the Thunder, but he bounced back in Game 5 by making plays all over the floor, finishing with postseason highs in points and minutes.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Key minutes in Game 2 victory
Rotowire
McConnell recorded 10 points (5-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt), two rebounds and four assists over 14 minutes during Friday's 114-109 victory over the Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
McConnell scored double-digits for the second straight game and the fourth time in the past five games. Despite continuing to play a modest role, McConnell's contributions have been significant in the context of the series. The Pacers have the ability to run a deeper rotation than the Knicks, of which McConnell is a valuable piece. Indiana will now head home for games 3 and 4, with an opportunity to wrap up the series with two more victories.
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