It is so easy to miss out TJ McConnell. But behind its 1m85 and its first class haircut hide a desire for will and energy. The reasons for his NBA career.
Not drafted when he left Arizona in 2015, he won his place with the Sixers and then at the Pacers, whom he joined in 2019, because he plays thoroughly as soon as he enters the field. TJ McConnell only played 15 minutes last night during the Game 3 of the NBA finals, and yet he was omnipresent. Indiana needed each of her minutes to get this Game 3 at Forceps.
After a complicated first quarter when the Thunder had taken control of the match, it was he who pulled the pacers upwards by fighting like a devil and going to cause the success of his team.
Decisive intercepts
“TJ brought a fierce desire and competitive spirit to the match” described Rick Carlisle. “It brings unique characteristics to our team and on the field in general. We need everyone to bring their stone to the building, it doesn't matter what it is. But he is an important player for us because he inspires a lot of people. He inspires our team a lot. »»
During the first seven minutes of the second quarter, TJ McConnell delivered four assists, went to seek an offensive rebound against the opposing interiors, intercepted three balloons, two of which were back into play, and went twice on the line of free throws. The Pacers won these minutes 25-10 and it was thanks to that that they entered their match and that they started playing as they have been doing since the start of the playoffs.
“I know it's my role in this team to bring energy when I go back to the field” explains the replacement leader. “Our energy, our rhythm was much better tonight. We did not do this in the first two games because OKC was more aggressive than us, and we did not respond. Tonight we answered. »»
It all started from his two interceptions on a resppection. After the second, he haranged the crowd with eyes filled with intensity. In the same way that he had inspired his teammates, he also transcended all the audience of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu_9vh71fzi
“His energy is incredible” said Tyrese Haliburton. “It is the darling of the room and I always room it by nicknning it 'the great white hope'. It gives energy to everyone. He had two or three incredible interceptions and in this kind of series it is the details of this kind that will make us win. »»
TJ McConnell and Benédict Mathurin, catalysts
This night, TJ McConnell became the first player in the history of the NBA Finals to finish with 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 interceptions at the bench. Three of them arrived on a restart, as a symbol of its legendary grint. Even if, after the match, he showed great modesty.
“You don't really want to take a risk against this team because they can make you pay very quickly” he described. “I just try to choose my opportunity as best I can. It is done at the feeling and tonight I was lucky to intercept a few balloons. »»
In a tight end -to -end match, the three interceptions on a delivery of TJ McConnell turned into six easy points for Indiana. His two other interceptions also charged the Thunder at the start of the last quarter, including one who sent Tyrese Haliburton to the Dunk.
This is one of the first things that Mark Daigneault commented during his post -match press conference.
“It was obviously actions that had a disproportionate weight on the” Momentum “of the match. McConnell was excellent. Their bench was excellent. It was he who led their 15-4 at the start of the second quarter, but also the good visit to the start of the fourth when we had regained control of the match. He and Mathurin were the catalysts of their good sequences this evening. They set the tone throughout the match. »»
The replacement leader was also decisive in the offensive approach of his team. Before Game 3, the question that was on the lips of all the Pacers was how to succeed in attacking the racket to set up their movement and passes game. As soon as he entered, he spent his time in the racket and background line.
“He attacked tirelessly and he is an expert on the background line, nobody knows how to play background line like him” assured Tyrese Haliburton.
The eternal status of outsider
TJ McConnell preferred to focus on the collective and the staff work between the two games. “It was a collective effort. We have talked a lot not to be content to take half-detestance shots in front of their defense and the staff coaching did a great job to put this idea of attacking our heads in the last three days and we managed to apply the game plan. ”
“Cutting, moving, playing with rhythm is our game identity” he ends. “When we manage to install our game and run, we are a very good team. »»
If Tyrese Haliburton is the star of this team and is the conductor of Rick Carlisle's play philosophy, in many ways TJ McConnell is the soul. His journey and his personality are symbolic of the identity of the Pacers. No one believed that TJ McConnell could play in the NBA and above all make the career he is doing. And no one would have bet at the start of the season that they would be two victories from the NBA title in June June.
One thing is certain, just like TJ McConnell, the Pacers have never been favorites. Hence their ability to surprise.
Interview in Indianapolis.
| TJ McConnell | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-1 | Phl | 81 | 20 | 47.0 | 34.8 | 63.4 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 6.1 |
| 2016-17 | Phl | 81 | 26 | 46.1 | 20.0 | 81.1 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 6.9 |
| 2017-18 | Phl | 76 | 22 | 49.9 | 43.5 | 79.5 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 6.3 |
| 2018-19 | Phl | 76 | 19 | 52.5 | 33.3 | 78.4 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 6.4 |
| 2019-20 | Ind | 71 | 19 | 51.6 | 29.4 | 83.3 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 6.5 |
| 2020-21 | Ind | 69 | 26 | 55.9 | 31.3 | 68.8 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 8.6 |
| 2021-22 | Ind | 27 | 24 | 48.1 | 30.3 | 82.6 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 8.5 |
| 2022-23 | Ind | 75 | 20 | 54.3 | 44.1 | 85.3 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 8.7 |
| 2023-24 | Ind | 71 | 18 | 55.6 | 40.9 | 79.0 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 10.2 |
| 2024-25 | Ind | 79 | 18 | 51.9 | 30.6 | 74.0 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 9.1 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.
