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While the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated the first NBA title of the team since it moved in 2008, the Indiana Pacers were staggering by the loss of game 7 in the NBA finals.
It was reduced to a final game after an exhausting battle during the regular season and the postseason for both teams, but one was always going to be victorious by the other. It was the Thomnder Home who escaped in the second half, and the emotions of the loss were difficult for some Pacers players, including veteran guard TJ McConnell.
McConnell, who reached 16 points after Indiana lost Tyrese Haliburton for the game with a right Achilles injury, was clearly emotional when he left the court after the defeat for 103-91.
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TJ McConnell, #9 of the Indiana Pacers, handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game seven of the NBA finals of 2025 on June 22, 2025 at the PayCom center in Oklahoma City. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Images)
The devastation of staying short was still staying as he walked through the visitor’s tunnel accompanied by Karen Atkeson, vice president of Pacers players relations.
The two hugged as they walked to the costumes, and McConnell stopped to rely on Atkeson’s shoulder to presumably let all their emotions escape.
Thunder Bumero Pacers in game 7 to win the NBA championship
A ESPN camera was capturing the moment, and Atkeson did not appreciate it, duttering the cameraman while comforting McConnell.
“Stop, hold,” Atkesson was heard while he was shaking her and McConnell’s camera.
The Guard of the Indiana Pacers, TJ McConnell, #9, Dribla against the guard of Oklahoma City Thunder Cason Wallace, #22, during the second half of the game seven of the NBA finals of 2025 at the Paycom Center. (Alonzo Adams-Imagn images)
McConnell was also seen sharing a hug with the Great Reggie Miller of the Pacers, who was in the center of Paycom that supported his former team in the game 7. Miller, in the halls that lead to the locker room, consoled McConnell, who remained excited after the game.
The Pacers and the Thunder were exchanging blows to the offensive wing once the game began, but Halibton’s Achilles injury put a frown of what could have been a fantastic ending for him after hitting all but one of his four three -point attempts in the first quarter.
McConnell and the other Pacers had the task of collecting the slack, and although the 10 -year -old veteran made his part, Indiana had problems with the ball losses and the Thunder capitalized.
McConnell completed his sixth NBA season with the Pacers after starting his career with the Philadelphia 76ers.
TJ McConnell, #9 of the Indiana Pacers, observes during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game seven of the NBA finals of 2025 on June 22, 2025 at the PayCom center in Oklahoma City. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Images)
In this year’s playoffs, he averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 23 games, while fired 53.7% from the field.
