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Pacers’ T.J. McConnell Owns a Stat Almost Nobody Else Can Match
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- Pacers’ T.J. McConnell Owns a Stat Almost Nobody Else Can Match
(Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
Throughout his tenure with the Indiana Pacers , T.J. McConnell has been a big part of helping lead the team to NBA Finals contention. He may not get the hype that other players on the roster receive, but the consistency and energy he brings to the game is crucial.
McConnell has worked his way to becoming one of the most valuable backup point guards in the NBA.
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Last season, the 34-year-old guard played in 56 games and made four starts. He averaged 9.4 points per game to go along with 5.1 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and a steal. McConnell shot 53.8 percent from the floor.
Heading into the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season, McConnell is expected to be a big part of helping lead the Pacers back to being a contender in the Eastern Conference.
With that being said, a wild statistic has surfaced about the veteran point guard.
As shared by Pacers Lead on X , McConnell is one of just two active players to have recorded 10 assists and 10 steals in a single game. The other player is Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green .
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That game came on March 3, 2021 against the Cleveland Cavaliers . McConnell's final stat line was 16 points, 13 assists, 10 steals, and two rebounds. He shot 8-for-8 from the floor during that game.
During that game, McConnell also set an NBA record with nine steals in the first half.
Needless to say, the veteran point guard has not made a name for himself by being an elite scorer. He can score the basketball, especially from the mid-range, but defense and energy have always been his calling cards. Even late in his career, that hasn't changed.
Over the last few years, Indiana has prided itself on physical defense. McConnell has been the leader of that style of play, along with both Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith .
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Hopefully, the 2026-27 NBA season brings more success for the Pacers than the 2025-26 campaign. A 19-63 finish just one year removed from an NBA Finals run was difficult to swallow.
For Indiana to live up to those hopes, McConnell is going to need to have a strong season. He may not be the franchise star, but he's the heart and soul of the Pacers.
The regular season is scheduled to begin for Indiana on October 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans on the road. After that game, the Pacers will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for their home opener on October 23 against the Dallas Mavericks .
