Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Shines off bench in Game 1 loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Stellar off bench in Game 6 win
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Quiet in Game 5 loss
Rotowire
McConnell logged six points (3-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt), three rebounds and three assists in 16 minutes during Tuesday's 115-92 loss to the Bucks in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
McConnell failed to have a significant impact in the loss, continuing his underwhelming series. The Pacers were never really in this one, falling behind early and giving the Bucks some much-needed momentum. Game 6 is in Indiana on Thursday, providing the Pacers with another opportunity to advance to the second round.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Continues to lead second unit
Rotowire
McConnell racked up 17 points (8-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two rebounds and seven assists in 21 minutes during Tuesday's 140-123 victory over the Raptors.
McConnell scored in double digits for the third straight game Tuesday and has reached that mark in 13 of his last 14 games. He finished second on the team in assists behind Andrew Nembhard and third in scoring behind Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin. Since March 1, McConnell is averaging 14.0 points on 57.4 percent shooting, 2.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals over 20.0 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Provides spark off bench in win
Rotowire
McConnell tallied 22 points (11-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt), five assists and one steal over 27 minutes in Sunday's 117-115 win over Miami.
McConnell provided a much-needed lift off the Pacers bench in Sunday's victory, posting a team-high-tying point total while connecting on a team-best mark from the field and adding a handful of assists. McConnell has surpassed the 20-point mark in four games this year, and Sunday was his first such performance since scoring a season-high 26 points March 3. He has now connected on 10 or more field goals in three contests this year.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Double-double off bench Friday
Rotowire
McConnell totaled 16 points (7-12 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, 10 assists and one block across 21 minutes during Friday's 126-112 win over the Thunder.
McConnell recorded his fourth double-double of the season Friday, and he was second on the team in assists behind Tyrese Haliburton. McConnell has provided a steady presence for the Pacers' second unit this season. Since March 1, he is averaging 13.3 points on 55.6 percent shooting (including 56.3 percent from three), 2.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals over 19.7 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Gets green light
Rotowire
McConnell (ankle) is good to go for Wednesday's game versus the Bulls.
McConnell was in danger of missing his first game since Feb. 1, but he will ultimately play through his ankle pain. Thus, look for him to take on his usual workload.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Iffy for Wednesday
Rotowire
McConnell is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Bulls due to left ankle soreness.
McConnell is in danger of missing his first contest since Feb. 1 due to a sore left ankle. If the veteran guard is ruled out, Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard and Kendall Brown are candidates to receive increased playing time.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Posts 17 points from bench
Rotowire
McConnell finished with 17 points (8-15 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 18 minutes during Sunday's 150-145 loss to the Lakers.
McConnell woke up with a nice total in only 18 minutes of play. Sunday marked McConnell's sixth consecutive double-digit total, and he's also averaged 4.7 assists over the five-game run. McConnell gives the second unit a solid veteran presence, and his participation this year has him on pace for career-high averages in points (9.5) and assists (5.4).
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Leads bench with 16 points
Rotowire
McConnell notched 16 points (5-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds, four assists and two steals in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 132-129 overtime loss to Chicago.
McConnell continues to provide a steady presence off the bench as he supplied four-plus assists for the fifth time in his last six games. McConnell is averaging 9.1 points per game on the campaign but has upped that to 13.6 points per game in March.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Provides lift after cold start
Rotowire
McConnell closed Sunday's 111-97 win over the Magic with 17 points (8-12 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals across 27 minutes.
The Pacers were down by double digits early, but McConnell and Obi Toppin flipped the script when they joined the action. McConnell, an eight-year veteran, has an unpredictable floor and is averaging a career low in minutes, but he can occasionally provide a spark with the second unit, as he did in Sunday's contest.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Impresses off bench despite loss
Rotowire
McConnell chipped in 26 points (13-15 FG), two rebounds, five assists and three steals over 27 minutes during Sunday's 117-105 loss to the Spurs.
Tyrese Haliburton had a rough outing for the second game in a row, and T.J. McConnell stepped up from the bench to lead the Pacers with a 26-point outing despite logging just 27 minutes. McConnell will not start over Haliburton any time soon, but he could be worth a flier in some fantasy formats if he continues to play like he's done of late. For what is worth, he's scored in double digits in four of his last six outings while shooting 65 percent from the field in that span.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Good to go
Rotowire
McConnell (back) checked into Friday's game against the Pelicans with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter.
McConnell was a very late addition to the injury report with a questionable tag, but he checked in at his usual time and appears to be fine.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Questionable to return
Rotowire
McConnell is questionable to return to Friday's game versus the Pelicans due to a sore back, Tony East of SI.com reports.
McConnell never entered the game before the team reported this news, so it is unclear when the issue occurred. Andrew Nembhard figures to see an increased role providing depth at point guard behind Tyrese Haliburton should McConnell ultimately be unable to play.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Provides spark off bench Thursday
Rotowire
McConnell registered 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-2 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 18 minutes during Thursday's 129-115 victory over Detroit.
McConnell paced the Pacers bench in scoring, assists and steals while co-leading in rebounds and blocks with Obi Toppin. McConnell played a key role for the Pacers when All-Star Tyrese Haliburton missed time with a hamstring injury, and the former will continue to provide meaningful minutes off the bench down the stretch. McConnell is averaging 10.3 points on 59.4 percent shooting, 3.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.0 steals over 19.0 minutes per game in February.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Productive from second unit
Rotowire
McConnell ended Saturday's 125-111 victory over the Knicks with 16 points (8-10 FG), four rebounds, six assists and one steal over 18 minutes off the bench.
Tyrese Haliburton appears to be fully recovered from his hamstring injury, but McConnell is still providing solid numbers from the Pacers' backcourt. Over four games since returning to the second unit, the veteran guard is averaging 10.8 points, 6.3 assists, 3.3 boards and 0.8 steals in 20.0 minutes a contest.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' T.J. McConnell: Back to bench
Rotowire
McConnell won't start Sunday's game against the Hornets.
Tyrese Haliburton will return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench for the second night of a back-to-back set Friday. However, Haliburton remains limited while working his way back to full strength following a lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury, so McConnell should still see a decent role off the bench.
