T.J. McConnell, as the children say, is considered one of one. He might not gentle up the scoreboard on a nightly foundation, however he is at all times going to convey power, tempo, self-discipline and coronary heart — and infrequently he’ll present you one thing you have not seen earlier than. That is what occurred through the Indiana Pacers‘ thrilling 116-107 Game 3 NBA Finals win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, which gave Indiana a 2-1 lead in a collection they entered as large underdogs.
Generally McConnell’s impression cannot be felt by the field rating, however that was not the case on Wednesday, when he tallied 10 factors, 5 assists and 5 steals in quarter-hour as a reserve. McConnell is the primary NBA participant since 1973-74 to place up these numbers off the bench in a Finals recreation.
“T.J. simply introduced a will — a aggressive will to the sport,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle stated after the win.
Whereas his offensive efficiency was essential to Indiana’s win, what really stood out throughout McConnell’s historic evening had been the steals. We’re not speaking about an opponent making a wildly errant cross and the ball simply randomly ending up in his fingers. No, these had been heists that will make Jose Alvarado get up and applaud.
Do not imagine us? Let’s undergo all 5 of his steals, rating them when it comes to sneakiness.
5. Tip drill
Now look, most NBA gamers might make this play, however it nonetheless takes a sure degree of focus and athleticism. Initially, McConnell is in excellent assist place, capable of get again to his man, Cason Wallace, on a possible kickout, but additionally inside hanging distance to take a cost or assist contest a shot within the paint. On this case, Isaiah Hartenstein overshoots Alex Caruso, and McConnell is just not solely in the appropriate spot, however he additionally reads the tipped cross, collects it and begins motoring downcourt in a single fell swoop.
4. Cease on a dime
This one is a signature McConnell particular, and doubtless one thing he is been doing since he might choose up a basketball. As Wallace prepares to inbound the ball, McConnell fakes like he is sprinting down the ground, solely to abruptly hit the brakes and reverse route, a lot to the horror of the unsuspecting Jalen Williams. Not solely does McConnell use his sturdy, fast fingers to choose up the steal, however he additionally has the wherewithal to earn Indiana possession by firing the ball off of Wallace out of bounds (his foot MAY have landed out of bounds earlier than he removed the ball, however let’s reward the person’s hustle).
3. Sturdy security
Ever surprise what it feels prefer to be a quarterback who fires a cross to what he thinks is a wide-open receiver, solely to observe as a defender flies in out of nowhere for an interception? Yep, that is T.J. McConnell heading again the opposite means for the pick-six. Right here, Wallace once more (tough evening for him inbounding the ball) passes to what seems like an open Chet Holmgren, however McConnell sprints from the other aspect of the paint to gather the steal. As if that weren’t sufficient, he finishes the play with an offensive rebound and considered one of his 5 assists.
2. Rope-a-dope
This one won’t look as sneaky because the interceptions on inbounds passes, however upon additional inspection it is utter manipulation by McConnell. As soon as once more in excellent assist place, McConnell sees a reducing Hartenstein who’s a step forward of his man after some confusion by the Indiana protection. McConnell jumps into the lane to supply assistance on Hartenstein, however retains his head up and reads Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s eyes as he makes the cross.
As SGA goes into the passing movement, McConnell is aware of instantly that the ball is not going to Hartenstein, however moderately to his man Wallace within the far nook. McConnell takes one fake-out step into the paint earlier than heading again to the nook for the straightforward steal. Had Gilgeous-Alexander handed to Hartenstein, he would have been proper below the basket for a dunk. However McConnell made an ideal learn with excellent timing to choose up an extremely spectacular steal.
1. Now you see me
We could not blame you should you actually began laughing out loud after this one, which actually made it seem to be it was going to be Indiana’s evening. There’s actually not a lot to say. McConnell will need to have quickly acquired a cloak of invisibility, as a result of Caruso actually regarded proper by him (or over him) as he tried to throw a protracted entry cross to Williams. As a substitute, McConnell used each little bit of his modest vertical leap to grab the ball out of midair, then got here down and completed a layup to convey the Pacers inside two factors. McConnell made massive performs all evening lengthy, however when it comes to momentum, this may occasionally have been essentially the most consequential.
One of many few benefits Indiana has on paper over OKC is its bench manufacturing, and McConnell is an important a part of that. He is now averaging 10 factors, 5 assists and a pair of.7 steals through the Finals in simply over 16 minutes per recreation. He permits Carlisle to confidently get some relaxation for Tyrese Haliburton, and — as he did in Recreation 3 — McConnell has made performs which may simply assist the Pacers win their first NBA championship.