The Ultimate Underdog: How T.J. McConnell Became the Unsung Hero of This Year’s NBA Finals

Everyone knows the Indiana Pacers lost the crucial Game 5. The scoreboard may have shown defeat, but the narrative of that pivotal game tells a far more nuanced story—one where a relatively unsung hero, T.J. McConnell, delivered what might just be the most impressive performance of his postseason career.

In 22 minutes off the bench, McConnell went 8-for-14 from the field, hitting 1 of 2 from beyond the arc and converting a free throw, finishing with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. His plus-minus of +4 was second-best on the team. In stark contrast, the Pacers’ star and floor general, Tyrese Haliburton—battling injury—struggled mightily, shooting 0-for-6 in 34 minutes with 4 points, 7 boards, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, and a team-worst -13 plus-minus.

While the raw numbers highlight the difference, the true drama was in the play-by-play. McConnell’s night began quietly, with 5 minutes in the first quarter where his shooting was cold—just 1-for-4 for 2 points. By halftime, after hitting a three-pointer in the second quarter, he had 5 points on 5 attempts. The real story emerged in the third quarter.

With the Pacers down by 12 midway through the third, McConnell checked in and sparked a turnaround. His first action was a crafty assist to Obi Toppin for a three-pointer. Shortly after, he intercepted a pass from Andrew Wiggins, flipping momentum instantly. From there, McConnell embarked on a personal scoring spree—rattling off a series of signature moves: step-back jumpers, quick pull-ups, spin moves to the rim, a smooth mid-range jumper stepping on the three-point line, a slow break layup, and an and-one against Alex Caruso.

In less than five minutes, McConnell exploded for 13 points, pulling the Pacers back to within eight points by the end of the quarter. The fourth quarter began with McConnell assisting Pascal Siakam on a triple, but his energy was visibly drained—he committed a travel violation on the next possession and was subbed out by coach Rick Carlisle, a move understandable given the sheer effort McConnell had just expended.

After McConnell’s exit, Siakam carried the torch, trimming the deficit to just two points. Carlisle’s rotation seemed effective, but he waited until less than three minutes remained to reinsert McConnell. By then, a sequence of mistakes from Andrew Nembhard had extended the Thunder’s lead to 13 points. McConnell’s shot had cooled, and the opportunity for a late-game comeback slipped away.

Despite the loss, McConnell’s performance stood as a beacon of hope and resilience. What’s more, this level of play wasn’t a one-off — it’s been his trend throughout the Finals. Before Game 5, McConnell’s production across the first four games read like a masterclass in efficiency and impact:

• Game 1: 9 points, 4 assists, 1 steal on 4-of-6 shooting

• Game 2: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals on 5-of-7 shooting

• Game 3: 10 points, 5 assists, 5 steals on 3-of-8 shooting

• Game 4: 8 points, 2 assists on 3-of-7 shooting

Averaging just under 18 minutes per game, McConnell has posted 11.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 2 steals per contest, with shooting splits of 54.8% from the field, an astounding 60% from three, and a perfect free-throw mark in the Finals, yielding an elite true shooting percentage of 62.1%.

Particularly remarkable was Game 3, where in only 15 minutes, McConnell made history—becoming the first reserve in NBA Finals history to record at least 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals. Even more impressive: three of those steals came directly from intercepting inbound passes, a rare and game-changing feat on the sport’s biggest stage.

Widening the lens to the entire postseason, McConnell’s numbers remain dazzling. In 16.7 minutes per game, he’s averaged 9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4 assists, with shooting efficiency of 53.3% from the floor, 42.1% from deep, and 88% from the line. His true shooting percentage clocks in at an eye-opening 59%, a massive jump from his regular-season metrics, which hovered at 51.9% shooting overall, a middling 30.6% from three, and 74% from the charity stripe.

This leap in efficiency and scoring precision in the playoffs underscores the magic McConnell brings when it matters most. His three-point shooting alone has improved dramatically, connecting on 8 of 19 attempts (42.1%) in the postseason, compared to just 30.6% during the regular season. Free throws, too, have become a reliable weapon, with 22 makes on 25 attempts—a 14 percentage point surge over his season average.

What’s behind this postseason surge? The Pacers’ roster is filled with players who thrive under pressure—Haliburton, Nembhard, Naismith, Siakam—and McConnell fits perfectly in that mold. Yet, McConnell’s story is uniquely compelling.

He’s not a generational athlete. Standing 6’1” with a 6’2” wingspan, McConnell’s physical profile is modest by NBA standards. His hand size is famously tiny—19 cm long and 17.7 cm wide—the smallest measured in NBA combine history. Not drafted out of Arizona, McConnell earned his way into the league largely through grit and connections, getting a shot in the Philadelphia 76ers’ Summer League courtesy of his father’s coaching ties before carving out a ten-year NBA career.

He’s not the prototypical modern guard either. His three-point shooting is below average; he made only 15 threes all season. But what he lacks in distance shooting, McConnell compensates for with crafty ball-handling, tenacious defense, and surgical mid-range shooting. His finishing around the rim and ability to get to the basket are strong assets.

This season, his efficiency from mid-range is jaw-dropping. From 5 to 9 feet, he shot 54.5% during the regular season; from 10 feet and beyond, 45.7%. In the playoffs, those numbers climb to 50% and an eye-popping 58.1%, respectively—outperforming even some of the league’s premier mid-range shooters like Pascal Siakam.

These stats tell a story of a player who, despite physical limitations and a lack of flash, has honed his craft to a razor-sharp edge. His basketball IQ, positioning, timing, and anticipation make him a nightmare for opponents. He disrupts passing lanes, sets the tone defensively, and paces his team’s offense with precision.

The fact that at age 33, in the NBA Finals, McConnell remains one of the Pacers’ most effective players is nothing short of remarkable. His journey defies the typical narrative that only elite athletes or highly touted draft picks can shine in the league’s spotlight.

Looking ahead, Game 6 looms large, and Haliburton’s availability remains uncertain. If he can’t suit up or isn’t at full strength, expect McConnell’s role to swell. The “everyman” guard, often overshadowed but always dependable, may once again carry the torch.

McConnell embodies what it means to be a “blue-collar” NBA player—one who maximizes every opportunity and excels when the lights burn brightest. He’s a testament to perseverance, craft, and heart. For a Pacers team that thrives on grit and determination, McConnell is the perfect symbol of their identity.

A Final Thought

T.J. McConnell isn’t just a role player shining in a moment of need. He is a blueprint for how tenacity and skill can overcome physical shortcomings in professional sports. In a league obsessed with size, athleticism, and draft pedigree, McConnell is a reminder that basketball is as much about heart and brain as it is about height and hops.

The “smallest hands” in NBA history now belong to one of the biggest performers of the Finals. And if there’s any lesson from McConnell’s journey, it’s this: greatness isn’t always measured by highlight reels or awards. Sometimes, it’s measured by who keeps fighting when no one else can.

In that sense, T.J. McConnell is the truest definition of a Finals hero.