T.J. McConnell put forward an MVP-level performance in the NBA Finals, even though his Pacers fell in Game 7 to the Thunder, 103-91.
McConnell had already become the first bench player in NBA history to score 60+ points, 25+ assists and 15+ rebounds in one NBA Final. In Sunday's heartbreaking loss, he finished second on the team with 16 points, was second with 6 rebounds and had three assists, a steal and a block in a series-high 28 minutes.
McConnell had a couple of runs in the game. At one point in the third quarter, he scored 10 straight points for the Pacers and was solely responsible for Indiana's points over an eight-minute stretch from the third into fourth quarters, netting 12 with his trademark effort and skill:
The Chartiers Valley graduate was emotional leaving the court after the game and spoke briefly with the media following the loss, a room more interested in his opinions and reaction to the Tyrese Haliburton injury. McConnell's game, however, spoke volumes.
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THE ASYLUM
Bob Maddamma
12:29 am - 06.23.2025rochester, n.y.T.J. McConnell put forward an MVP-level performance in the NBA Finals, even though his Pacers fell in Game 7 to the Thunder, 103-91.
McConnell had already become the first bench player in NBA history to score 60+ points, 25+ assists and 15+ rebounds in one NBA Final. In Sunday's heartbreaking loss, he finished second on the team with 16 points, was second with 6 rebounds and had three assists, a steal and a block in a series-high 28 minutes.
McConnell had a couple of runs in the game. At one point in the third quarter, he scored 10 straight points for the Pacers and was solely responsible for Indiana's points over an eight-minute stretch from the third into fourth quarters, netting 12 with his trademark effort and skill:
The Chartiers Valley graduate was emotional leaving the court after the game and spoke briefly with the media following the loss, a room more interested in his opinions and reaction to the Tyrese Haliburton injury. McConnell's game, however, spoke volumes.
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