Former Wildcat T.J. McConnell shines in Pacers’ win

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Playing in the play-in game of the NBA Playoffs, former Wildcat T.J. McConnell shined in the Pacers’ 144-117 win. 

Doug McDermott finished with 21 points, Oshae Brissett added with 23, but the story for us here is former Wildcat T.J. McConnell scoring 17 points off the bench on 8-12 shooting while grabbing five rebounds, and dishing three assists in the Pacers’ monstrous win.

All season, T.J. has come up big when his team needed him to, and this isn’t a new thing either. T.J. has always been a hardworking playmaker throughout his basketball career, dating back to his days in Tucson even.

Arizona Wildcats

An unsung hero of sorts, he has prided himself on being a solid role player, and when many doubted him even making it to the league, he has adapted to his roles, becoming an important bench player for the Pacers this season.

Averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.7 rebounds on the year, in this month alone, McConnell has been on a terror, averaging 12.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.7 rebounds as he has helped the Pacers to get into the playoffs.

The stellar play also comes at a good time for T.J., as the five-year NBA veteran will become a free agent this off-season. I am confident there will be numerous teams longing for his services. In short, McConnell is about to get paid.

Anyways, as his team took to the court against Charlotte on Tuesday evening, McConnell once again had his moment to shine. With the Pacers already in complete control of this one, T.J. continued his strong play by scoring 17 points en route to the teams’ 27-point win.

So with the Pacers knocking off the Hornets, Indiana will now have to face the Washington Wizards in a do-or-die scenario. The winner of that game will get the No. 8 seed and will play Philadelphia. That game is set for Thursday evening.

Here are highlights from that win!