For once, McConnell’s imprint on a game was reflected in the box score. However, those who have followed his 10-year career know there have been countless games when his impact has gone unnoticed, given his career averages of 7.6 points and 5.0 assists.
The 33-year-old has been a constant source of energy for the Pacers in his six seasons with the team. When Tyrese Haliburton checks out of the game, McConnell ensures the team continues to play at the same frantic speed, and often even faster. In these playoffs, the Pacers have played at a faster PACE (101.40) with McConnell leading the second unit than even Haliburton (99.49) pushing the tempo with the starters.
Furthermore, McConnell has routinely picked up the slack for the starters. In Wednesday’s win, for example, the Pacers were down eight at the start of the second quarter, only to roar back under McConnell’s watch. He would start the period by assisting Pascal Siakam, stealing an inbound pass, rebounding a missed three and finding Bennedict Mathurin for a layup – all within 30 seconds.
Two minutes later, he would aggressively penetrate the Thunder’s No.1-ranked defense to find Aaron Nesmith for a layup, and then steal another inbound pass for a Mathurin field goal. By the 8:58 mark in the second, McConnell helped the Pacers convert an eight-point deficit into a one-point lead. And fittingly, he would close the quarter with an 11-foot jumper to give his team a 64-60 lead at halftime.
In what felt like a deja vu, McConnell again led the Pacers’ comeback at the start of the fourth quarter when they trailed by five. After stealing the ball from Alex Caruso, he made a layup to tie things up, stole the ball again and found Mathurin for a go-ahead three.
One could argue McConnell’s shrewdness — on both ends of the floor — single-handedly helped Indiana claw back into the contest against a mighty OKC team that was 81-19 for the season entering the game.
After Wednesday’s win, players and coaches from both teams showered McConnell with praise — and deservedly so. For half a decade, he has been the best backup point guard in the league.
