Indiana Pacers reserve guard T.J. McConnell stepped up in his star teammate Tyrese Haliburton’s absence during Sunday’s 103-91 Game 7 NBA Finals road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. After the crushing defeat, the 10-year veteran shared an emotional embrace with Pacers legend Reggie Miller.
With their first NBA championship in franchise history within reach, the Pacers suffered a devastating setback early. Midway through the first quarter, Haliburton, the engine of their fast-paced offense, went down with a right Achilles injury. The injury came after the two-time All-Star entered the evening playing through a right calf strain, putting further pressure on McConnell to rise to the occasion.
McConnell did so, tallying 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, shooting an efficient 8-for-13 (61.5%). His standout play, scoring inside and from the midrange while facilitating for his teammates, helped Indiana hang around until midway through the third quarter.
However, the Haliburton-less underdog squad ultimately proved to be outmatched against the 68-win Thunder. It fell behind by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter, marking a devastating end to its remarkable finals run.
Reggie Miller Consoles T.J. McConnell After Game 7 NBA Finals Loss
Following Sunday’s title-deciding contest, McConnell appeared overwhelmed by his emotions as he headed to the locker room. Miller, who spearheaded Indiana’s only other finals appearance in 2000, was there to comfort him in the tunnel.
The two shared a hug as the Hall of Famer seemingly offered McConnell words of encouragement, with the poignant moment promptly going viral on X.
Reggie Miller and TJ McConnell 😔 pic.twitter.com/ESoso3w60T
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 23, 2025
Aside from McConnell’s contributions, third-year wing Bennedict Mathurin elevated his play, recording a team-best 24 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two triples. Meanwhile, star forward Pascal Siakam chipped in 16 points.
Even so, Indiana struggled to combat OKC’s one-two punch from Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his co-star Jalen Williams. The duo combined for 49 points, albeit on subpar shooting efficiency.
Despite the tough loss, McConnell cemented his status as a winning player capable of contributing to a championship contender. The 33-year-old, who joined Indiana in 2019, provided a consistent spark for the fourth-seeded Pacers (50-32) throughout the playoffs.
Across 23 outings, McConnell averaged 9.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 0.9 steals per game, shooting 53.7% in just 17.5 minutes a night.
However, with Haliburton potentially missing next season due to his Achilles injury, McConnell may have missed out on his best chance to win his first title. After making at least the conference finals in back-to-back campaigns, Indiana could be hard-pressed to return to the playoffs next year without its primary playmaker and shot creator.
