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.
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Pacers' Obi Toppin: Top scorer off bench in Game 6
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Toppin posted 21 points (8-15 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block over 24 minutes in Thursday's 120-98 win over Milwaukee in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Toppin gave Indiana a much-needed lift off the bench, leading all Pacers in scoring while connecting on a team-high-tying trio of threes and ending two rebounds shy of a double-double in just under 25 minutes on the second unit. Toppin has been stellar off the bench this postseason but posted his best outing of the playoffs thus far in the series-clinching victory. Toppin concluded the first-round series by surpassing the double-digit scoring mark in four straight outings.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Top distributor in double-double
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Haliburton finished with 17 points (7-16 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 10 assists and six rebounds over 32 minutes in Thursday's 120-98 win over Milwaukee in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Haliburton once again provided an offensive lift for Indiana in a series-clinching victory, leading all players in Thursday's contest in assists while adding a half-dozen rebounds in a double-double performance. Haliburton recorded a double-double in three of the six games in the first round against Milwaukee, finishing with at least 15 points in four straight outings to round out the series.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Available for Thursday's game
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Haliburton (back) is available for Thursday's Game 6 against Indiana.
Haliburton was questionable for Thursday's matchup, but he'll be available once again despite his lower back spasms. Over his last three appearances, he's averaged 19.3 points, 8.7 assists and 6.0 rebounds in 37.3 minutes per game.
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Questionable for Thursday's game
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Haliburton (back) is questionable for Thursday's Game 6 against Milwaukee.
Haliburton has also been on the injury report ahead of the last two matchups but suited up and averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game over those appearances. If he's available again Thursday as the Pacers attempt to clinch the series, he'll likely be able to handle a sizable workload.
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.
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Pacers' Jarace Walker: Rare appearance Tuesday
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Walker notched one assist over five minutes during Tuesday's 115-92 loss to Milwaukee in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Walker played a handful of minutes during the Game 5 blowout loss in Milwaukee. Despite flashes throughout the season, Walker has been an afterthought for meaningful minutes. The two teams will line up again Thursday, as the Pacers try to wrap things up on their home court.
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Pacers' Aaron Nesmith: Passive performance in loss
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Nesmith registered seven points (3-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal across 27 minutes during Tuesday's 115-92 loss to the Bucks in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Nesmith salvaged a rough shooting night with modest across-the-board production. Despite playing a significant role, he has been unable to rediscover his form from earlier in the season. While the loss was far from ideal, the Pacers will now head home for Game 6 and attempt to wrap up the series again.
Haliburton (back) is available for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Bucks.
Haliburton has been upgraded from questionable to available Tuesday despite back spasms. There is no indication that the star guard will operate on a minute restriction.
