The Pacers want extra T.J. McConnell in opposition to Knicks to remain alive in NBA Playoffs

The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks have been set for an exhilarating end to Sport 2 of their second spherical collection within the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Pacers guard T.J. McConnell hit a troublesome end contained in the arc to make it a one-point recreation with about eight minutes remaining in regulation. After Josh Hart drained a three-pointer on the next possession, McConnell arrange teammate Pascal Siakam for a mid-range bucket.

That’s when Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle determined to sub out McConnell for guard Andrew Nembhard. From then on out, the Pacers’ offense died and the Knicks completed sturdy to take a 2-0 collection lead.

The Knicks beat the Pacers, 130-121, to win each video games at Madison Sq. Backyard to start out the collection. Indiana logged a comical 78 complaints in regards to the officiating in the beginning of the collection to the league workplace, however the Pacers may wish to have a look at the mirror about why they actually collapsed in Sport 2.

McConnell has been Indiana’s secret weapon all through this collection. With McConnell on the ground, the Pacers are outscoring the Knicks by 19 factors via the primary two video games. Indiana is getting smoked when he goes to the bench. So why did Carlisle have McConnell glued to the bench for the top of the sport?

It’s simple to assume this may be a small pattern dimension fluke for those who aren’t watching the video games, however these locked in to this collection can see the very actual affect McConnell is making. He’s been Indiana’s solely hope of even midway slowing down Brunson, and he’s additionally been vital to creating the offense go.

Brunson scored 11 factors down the stretch after McConnell checked out, with most of them approaching Nembhard. In the meantime, the Pacers offense couldn’t sustain on the opposite finish with out the veteran’s regular hand of scoring and facilitating.

The 32-year-old McConnell went undrafted out of Arizona in 2015 after beginning his school profession at Duquesne. He latched on with the Philadelphia 76ers, the place he carved out a spot within the league as a defensive pest off the bench. He signed with the Pacers in free company in 2019, and he’s been a staple on Indiana’s second unit ever since.

McConnell has by no means been spectacular, however he’s all the time been an irritant. You possibly can really feel it each time he’s on the ground on this collection. There’s no stopping Brunson in these NBA Playoffs, however McConnell can at the least make him work, choosing him up full courtroom and making use of ball strain each time he has the rock. By some means, McConnell has additionally been electrical as a scorer and playmaker on this collection. New York simply doesn’t know the way to sluggish him down.

McConnell had 10 factors and 12 assists in 23 minutes in Sport 2 after being equally sensible in Sport 1. Whereas youthful guards like Nembhard are struggling to regulate to the physicality of the playoffs, McConnell is up for the duty.

He’s been completely fearless in attacking the protection, and it’s helped Indiana keep within the recreation each time he’s on the ground.

Knicks followers are respiratory a deep sigh of reduction when McConnell checks out. Pacers followers are dropping their minds. It’s uncommon for a profession function participant to have this massive of an affect on a collection, however it additionally makes some sense once you issue within the vivid lights of Madison Sq. Backyard and the additional physicality the Knicks play with.

It’s simple for youthful guards to get overwhelmed, however McConnell isn’t terrified of the second.

The NBA Playoffs are all about changes over the course of a collection. One simple adjustment for the Pacers is extra T.J. McConnell.