The Indiana Pacers are two wins away from an NBA title—and they have TJ McConnell to thank for rewriting the playoff record books.
In Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, McConnell delivered a performance for the ages. The veteran point guard became the first player in NBA Finals history to tally 10+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ steals in under 15 minutes. His energy off the bench helped the Pacers grab a 116-107 win and a 2-1 series lead.
And that’s not all.
McConnell also became the first player in any NBA playoff game to record 5+ assists and 5+ steals in under 16 minutes of action—a feat that even the league’s greatest defenders and playmakers have never matched.
To put it into perspective: the last time any player posted 5+ assists and 5+ steals in a playoff game was John Starks in 1992. But Starks took 21 minutes to do it. McConnell did it in 15.
Pacers Show Depth, Heart in Game 3 Victory
While Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, it was the Pacers’ bench that turned the tide. Bennedict Mathurin exploded for 27 points, providing a crucial spark after Indiana fell behind by 8 points early in the second quarter.
“We just had guys make plays after plays,” Haliburton said postgame. “Ben was amazing. TJ brought the energy. Pascal [Siakam] set the tone. It was a complete team effort.”
Thunder Stumble Late
Despite a strong start led by Chet Holmgren and Luguentz Dort, the Thunder couldn’t keep pace late in the fourth quarter. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points but managed just three in the final period. The Thunder gave up 19 turnovers, leading to 21 Pacers points, a stat that proved fatal in a close contest.
“They outplayed us on both ends in the fourth,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault admitted.
A Historic Night in Indianapolis
The Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd—packed with stars like Caitlin Clark, Oscar Robertson, and Reggie Miller—erupted as the Pacers executed a late-game blitz, flipping a one-point deficit into a dominant finish. Obi Toppin’s put-back dunk with just over five minutes remaining sparked a 7-0 run that Oklahoma City never recovered from.
And in the middle of it all was McConnell.
From orchestrating the offense to ripping steals from Thunder guards, McConnell was the pulse of Indiana’s second unit. With only 15 minutes on the court, he made his presence felt like a seasoned superstar.
Looking Ahead
The Pacers are now in control of the series, but they’re not celebrating just yet.
“2-1 is nothing,” said McConnell. “We’re not satisfied. We have to keep our foot on the gas.”
Game 4 tips off Friday in Indianapolis. A win there would put the Pacers just one game away from a championship—a title the franchise hasn’t seen since its ABA days.
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