Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Decent output in Game 4 loss
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McConnell provided 15 points (7-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists and one steal across 25 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
McConnell was tasked with handling a bigger role throughout the series, and that was even more noticeable with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined for the final two contests. The veteran floor general looked good off the bench, but he wasn't able to complete the comeback on his own. McConnell scored in double digits in three of the four games of the series, including reaching the 15-point plateau in the last two.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Shines off bench despite loss
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McConnell notched 23 points (10-17 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one steal in 29 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
McConnell came off the bench Saturday despite the fact Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) was unavailable, and the former made a huge impact on both ends of the court once again. Given that McConnell outplayed Ben Sheppard, who started Game 3 in place of Haliburton, it wouldn't be surprising if McConnell moves to the starting lineup in Game 4 with Indiana facing a 3-0 deficit in the series. McConnell is averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Top distributor off bench in Game 7
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McConnell finished with 12 points (6-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt), seven assists, two rebounds, one block and one steal over 23 minutes in Sunday's 130-109 win over New York in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
McConnell provided a spark off the bench for Indiana in a winner-take-all contest, handing out a team-high assist total while ending as one of six players with a double-digit point total to help the Pacers advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. McConnell stepped up his level of play in the series against New York, recording at least 10 points and seven assists in three outings. The guard has surpassed the double-digit scoring mark in seven postseason contests, doing so in five of the seven games against the Knicks.
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Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Productive despite limited minutes
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McConnell supplied 15 points (7-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one steal in 16 minutes during Friday's 116-103 win over the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
McConnell was a factor once again Friday, providing the Pacers with a boost on both ends of the floor. He continues to be an underrated piece for Indiana, continuing what has been arguably his best season as a professional. Despite typically playing no more than 20 minutes, McConnell has scored in double digits in five of his past seven games while handing out a combined 45 assists during that period.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Shines off bench in Game 1 loss
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McConnell finished with 18 points (9-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three assists, three steals and one rebound over 22 minutes in Monday's 121-117 loss to New York in Game 1 of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
McConnell provided a much-needed spark off the Pacers bench with the below-average offensive showing by Indiana's starting guards, leading all bench players in scoring while adding a trio of steals and assists in a balanced showing on the second unit. McConnell has been playing some of his best basketball of the postseason in his last two outings, posting at least 18 points and three assists in two straight contests.
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Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Stellar off bench in Game 6 win
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McConnell tallied 20 points (7-9 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine assists, four steals and two rebounds over 23 minutes in Thursday's 120-98 win over Milwaukee in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
McConnell was outstanding off the Pacers bench in the series-clinching victory, ending second on the team in scoring and assists while leading all players in steals and coming up one dime shy of a double-double to provide a much-needed spark on the second unit. McConnell put forth his best performance of the postseason thus far, scoring more than 10 points for the first time while handing out his highest assist total of the first round. Indiana will look for McConnell to continue to provide a spark off the bench in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
