Author of an encouraging preseason at the dawn of his fifth year in the Pacers jersey, TJ McConnell finally learned from his coach’s voice, Rick Carlislethat he was not going to be part of the rotation for the first game against the Wizards, and that this situation could happen again during the season.
The 31-year-old leader listened to his coach, for whom making such a decision was not easy, and had to take the blow without flinching. True to his philosophy, he said he was always determined to work to remain competitive.
“It was obviously a tough conversation as a competitor. But I’m here to do my job. Whatever he thinks is best for the team, he should do. I just have to stay ready,” did he declare.
Remain the best teammate possible
TJ McConnell finally played six minutes of Opening Night against Washington, when Indiana was already +20, and walked the talk by compiling 4 points on 2/2 shooting, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 2 interceptions. From TJ McConnell all spit.
“As a professional, you have to stay ready. That’s what I’m going to do and, like I said, do my job when my no is called, be ready to impact the game in a positive way. It’s also about being a good teammate, a good person and going from there to move forward,” he added.
Despite his experience and his profile as a dynamic player coming off the bench, TJ McConnell pays for the rise of Tyrese Haliburton in his position, and to replace him, the emergence of Andrew Nenbhard, 23, who once again shone against the Wizards with a double-double at 12 points and 10 assists in 22 minutes.
Even though he is his direct competitor, the veteran leader is delighted with his progress and intends to continue to act as a mentor, which is also part of his role from now on.
“He’s incredible, as you saw on Wednesday. When you have a guy like Tyrese who is at that level and you have a guy like Andrew coming off the bench, yeah, it’s pretty special. He is always hungry for knowledge, he wants to improve and he is open to advice from coaches and players. On everything I see, I try to help him. His game is mature for his age. He doesn’t look like a sophomore. He plays at his own pace. It’s awesome, and it’s even better to watch when you know what a good person he is.”
It remains to be seen whether TJ McConnell will remain in this situation for a long time, he who was of particular interest to the Suns…
| TJ McConnell | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | PHL | 81 | 20 | 47.0 | 34.8 | 63.4 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 6.1 |
| 2016-17 | PHL | 81 | 26 | 46.1 | 20.0 | 81.1 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 6.9 |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 76 | 22 | 49.9 | 43.5 | 79.5 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 6.3 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 76 | 19 | 52.5 | 33.3 | 78.4 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 6.4 |
| 2019-20 | IND | 71 | 19 | 51.6 | 29.4 | 83.3 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 6.5 |
| 2020-21 | IND | 69 | 26 | 55.9 | 31.3 | 68.8 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 8.6 |
| 2021-22 | IND | 27 | 24 | 48.1 | 30.3 | 82.6 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 8.5 |
| 2022-23 | IND | 75 | 20 | 54.3 | 44.1 | 85.3 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 8.7 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 1 | 6 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 |
| Total | 557 | 22 | 50.9 | 34.3 | 78.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 7.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
