The dream’s getting closer. The Indiana Pacers are two games away from the NBA title, but the series still hangs in the balance. If any team can turn it around, it’s the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have proper ammunition within their ranks to go on a winning spree. Nonetheless, the main talking point of Game 3 was the performance of T.J. McConnell and Myles Turner.
These two left their hearts on the floor, playing intense defense and not giving the Thunder players a moment’s rest. With the 49 bench points the Pacers put up, McConnell and Co. took a 2-1 lead in this exciting 2025 NBA Finals. In the process, McConnell and Turner made history in this crucial game.
T.J. McConnell and Myles Turner Make History With Solid Defense on Display
In Game 3, McConnell ended the contest with a stunning display by scoring 10 points, five assists, and five steals. On the other hand, Turner didn’t get his offensive game going out there but had five crucial blocks, especially a priceless block against Chet Holmgren in the latter stages of the game.
T.J. McConnell tonight: 5 steals
Myles Turner tonight: 5 blocksIt’s been 24 YEARS since a pair of teammates did this in a Finals game 🤯
Allen Iverson (5 STL) and Dikembe Mutombo (5 BLK) did this on June 6, 2001. pic.twitter.com/oU36ctLvSH
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2025
With both players providing a defensive masterclass, it’s the first time a pair of teammates managed these stats since Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo did it in the 2001 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Philadelphia 76ers lost the series, but the two stars gave them a scare by winning Game 1.
Iverson finished the game with a dazzling 48 points, five rebounds, six assists, and five steals, while Mutombo finished with 13 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks. After winning Game 1, the 76ers lost four games in a row as the Lakers won the NBA championship.
On the other hand, the Pacers’ situation is different. They lead the series 2-1, and McConnell’s contributions hold immense value as the crowd remained electric throughout the game.
McConnell Brings the House Down With a Defensive Masterclass
If there’s one bench player who comes up with the goods for the Pacers, it’s McConnell. Rapid like a fox and dishing out passes when there’s hardly any space remains one of his specialties. But what gets him noticed is his defensive plays and hustle. It’s a nightmare for opposition players to have McConnell guarding them because of his lateral quickness and active hands.
T.J. MCCONNELL: ALL HEART, ALL HUSTLE
😤 10 PTS
😤 5 AST
😤 5 STLFirst player since 1973-74 to record these numbers off the bench in a Finals game 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/sKcwp9U1d4
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2025
He intercepted the basketball multiple times in Game 3, and the Thunder had no control over it. In one frame, you see McConnell out of the picture. But then, he hides behind a player and instantly cuts the passing lanes to get a steal. The anticipation and basketball IQ on defense remain spot on.
Even last night, he had a point-blank steal when Alex Caruso inbounded the ball at 8:36 on the clock in the fourth quarter. Those sneaky steals assisted the Pacers in completing a sensational victory.
T.J. McConnell is the first player in @NBA history to record 5+ steals & 5+ assists off the bench in the Finals 💪
10 PTS | 5 AST | 5 STL pic.twitter.com/Quq965Nmwe
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 12, 2025
In the process, McConnell is the first player in NBA history to record 5+ steals & 5+ assists off the bench in the Finals. Game 4 will be gripping, with McConnell and Co. looking for a 3-1 lead. Let’s see how this series pans out.
