Latest news with #ReggieMiller
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Reggie Miller consoles distraught TJ McConnell after heroic Game 7 effort
The post Reggie Miller consoles distraught TJ McConnell after heroic Game 7 effort appeared first on ClutchPoints. Early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers' worst fears were realized when star guard Tyrese Haliburton went down with an injury. Haliburton was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of Game 7, and the Pacers then turned to an unlikely hero. Backup guard TJ McConnell came off the bench and did his best to lead the Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, but it just wasn't enough. Following the game, McConnell received consolation from Pacers legend Reggie Miller. Advertisement In the third quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals, TJ McConnell was instrumental in the Pacers playing tough and hanging close despite the loss of Haliburton. McConnell had 12 of his 16 points in the third quarter, and 12 of the Pacers' 20 points overall. He shot 6-of-7 from the field during that stretch. It wasn't enough, however, as the Thunder ended the quarter on a run and on the verge of breaking the game open. During the Pacers' postseason run, McConnell has emerged as one of the league's best role players. Coming off the bench, he has done a stellar job steadying the second unit and providing a boost when needed. He can handle the ball, he can pass, he can score if needed and he plays defense. Coming into Game 7, McConnell had played in 22 playoff games this postseason at just about 17 minutes per game. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists with splits of 53.1 percent shooting from the field, 42.1 percent shooting from the three-point line and 81.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Last offseason, McConnell signed a four-year, $45 million contract extension, ensuring he remains in a Pacers jersey for the foreseeable future. This is his sixth season with the Pacers after he signed as a free agent ahead of the 2019-2020 season. Advertisement McConnell originally went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft and signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers. He played four seasons with the 76ers. Related: Obi Toppin assigns blame for Pacers' crushing Game 7 loss to Thunder Related: Bill Simmons disses Thunder with reaction to Tyrese Haliburton injury
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans Saddened by Video of Tyrese Haliburton on Crutches After Pacers' NBA Finals Loss
Fans Saddened by Video of Tyrese Haliburton on Crutches After Pacers' NBA Finals Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Pacers lost the NBA Finals on Sunday, with the team bowing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a heartbreaking Game 7, 103-91. Advertisement However, the biggest storyline of the game was Tyrese Haliburton's injury. The All-Star guard played just seven minutes in the contest before being ruled out due to an Achilles injury. Haliburton suffered the injury with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter. Slow-motion video showed something snapping in the playmaker's right leg, causing him to fall to the floor and wince in pain. Without Haliburton, who scored nine points before his exit, the Pacers eventually fell behind the Thunder and lost. Naturally, the Pacers were emotional after the game, with guard T.J. McConnell even spotted crying and hugging team legend Reggie Miller. Advertisement Haliburton, for his part, made sure to be with his teammates even in defeat. As the Pacers headed to the locker room, the 25-year-old guard was seen on crutches while waiting for the Indiana players and staffers. After seeing the video of Haliburton, fans couldn't help but get sad over what happened. Many also wondered if the results would have been different had he not been injured. "I hate it for bro fr man. That's devastating but God not gone put nun in front of you that you can't handle," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "Pacers literally win this game if he doesnt get hurt. Had 9 pts on 3 30+ foot BOMBS. His moment got taken from him." Advertisement A fan remarked, "it wasn't supposed to end this way." "I feel so bad for him," a supporter shared. A fifth follower posted, "Poor guys fr, such a sad way to loose a game 7." "Sad for Hali man, you could tell he wanted to win that game bad. Respect to him and the pacers for a great playoff run," a social media user shared. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Terada-Imagn Images The severity of Tyrese Haliburton's injury has yet to be determined, but considering it's an Achilles injury, he's facing a long road to recovery. Related: Slow-Mo Video Shows Exact Moment Tyrese Haliburton Suffered Injury This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pacers staffer tells ESPN cameras to back off heartbroken TJ McConnell in gutting NBA Finals scene
One member of the Pacers staff wasn't having it when ESPN cameras filmed TJ McConnell crying in her arms after Indiana's loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday. One member of the Pacers staff wasn't having it when ESPN cameras filmed TJ McConnell crying in her arms after Indiana's loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday. ESPN cameras followed McConnell into the tunnel at OKC's Paycom Center, where the blonde, who appeared to be with the team, was waiting to console him privately after Indiana's 103-91 defeat at the hands of the Thunder. Advertisement 'Stop!' she said as she put her hand up to the camera. The camera followed the pair as they walked arm-in-arm down the hallway. McConnell kept his head down and on the woman's shoulder as she instructed the cameraperson to stop filming. A reported Pacers staffer told ESPN cameras to stop filming TJ McConnell, who was crying in her arms after Indiana's loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, June 22, 2025. X A reported Pacers staffer told ESPN cameras to stop filming TJ McConnell, who was crying in her arms after Indiana's loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, June 22, 2025. X A reported Pacers staffer told ESPN cameras to stop filming TJ McConnell, who was crying in her arms after Indiana's loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, June 22, 2025. X Eventually, they backed off. McConnell also received support from Pacers alum Reggie Miller, who was waiting to console the team in the back hallways at Paycom Center. The veteran guard — who stepped up when Tyrese Haliburton went down with an Achilles injury — was crying in Miller's arms, as seen in a social media video. McConnell finished with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists. Advertisement The Pacers will be faced with a decision at the point guard position if Haliburton misses the entirety of the 2025-26 season. McConnell proved himself a worthy candidate with his strong performance in the Pacers' postseason run, which included upsets of the Cavaliers and Knicks, and came up one win short of a championship.
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Pacers staff confronts ESPN camera capturing emotional TJ McConnell after NBA Finals loss to Thunder
While the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated the team's first NBA title since relocating in 2008, the Indiana Pacers were reeling from Game 7's loss in the NBA Finals. It came down to one final game after a grueling battle throughout the regular season and postseason for both teams, but one was always going to come out victorious over the other. It was the home Thunder who ran away with it in the second half, and the emotions of the loss were hard for some Pacers players, including veteran guard T.J. McConnell. McConnell, who poured in 16 points after Indiana lost Tyrese Haliburton for the game with a right Achilles injury, was clearly emotional as he left the court following the 103-91 loss. The devastation of falling just short was still setting in as he walked through the visitor's tunnel accompanied by Karen Atkeson, the Pacers' vice president of Player Relations. The two embraced as they walked toward the locker room, and McConnell stopped to lean on Atkeson's shoulder to presumably let out all of his emotions. An ESPN camera was capturing the moment, and Atkeson did not appreciate it, shooing away the cameraman while comforting McConnell. "Stop, stop," Atkeson was heard saying while waving the camera away from her and McConnell. McConnell was also spotted sharing a hug with Pacers great Reggie Miller, who was in the Paycom Center supporting his former team in Game 7. Miller, in the back hallways leading to the locker room, consoled McConnell, who remained emotional after the game. The Pacers and Thunder were trading blows on the offensive end once the game began, but Haliburton's Achilles injury put a damper on what could have been a fantastic end for him after hitting all but one of his four three-point attempts in the first quarter. McConnell and the other Pacers were tasked with picking up the slack, and though the 10-year veteran did his part, Indiana had trouble with turnovers and the Thunder capitalized. McConnell completed his sixth NBA season with the Pacers after beginning his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. In this year's playoffs, he averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds over 23 games, while shooting 53.7% from the field. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Indianapolis Star
23-06-2025
- Indianapolis Star
Broken bottles, rotting meat: Downtown Indy strewn with trash after NBA Finals
(This article will update.) Spilled beer, broken Don Julio tequila bottles and trays of discarded bratwurst litter South Meridian Street on the morning of June 23. A streetsweeper on the opposite side of the road kicks up dust and napkins. The roads near Gainbridge Fieldhouse are strewn with trash in the wake of the Pacers' devastating NBA Finals loss. Fans began pouring out of the official watch party before the game had even ended. NBA Finals: Tyrese Haliburton, Reggie Miller console Pacers after Game 7 loss The cleanup now largely falls on the city's sanitation workers. The Department of Public Works did not immediately return a request for comment. Littering is a violation of the city's ordinances and can carry hefty fines. Trash can be reported to the Mayor's Action Center online or by phone at 317-327-4622.
