Age: 31
Years Pro: 8
Status: Under contract through 2024-25 season
Key Stats: Appeared in 75 games, starting six. Averaged career-best 8.7 points per game to go along with 5.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. Shot 54.3 percent from the field, career-best 44.1 percent from 3-point range, and 85.3 percent from the free throw line.
T.J. McConnell did what he always does this past season, providing a spark off the bench for the Blue & Gold with his relentless energy and effort. But on top of his usual contributions, McConnell mixed in a new wrinkle with an improved outside shot.
That addition cemented 2022-23 as the best statistical season of McConnell's eight-year NBA career.
Handling backup point guard duties behind All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, McConnell ensured that Indiana's offense experienced little to no drop-off with Haliburton off the floor, playing a major role in the Pacers leading the league in bench points (43.8 per game).
While McConnell would be a worthy understudy to virtually any starter at the point, he proved to be a particularly perfect complement to Haliburton because they both play a similar style: always pushing the pace and looking to spread the ball around to their teammates.
"I know teams didn't like playing against us for how fast we play," McConnell said at his end-of-season press conference. "We get out and run and if you don't have your running shoes on, it's going to be a long night for you against us."
Haliburton's emergence as an All-Star meant McConnell's minutes dipped slightly from the previous two years (down from 26.0 in 2020-21 and 24.1 last season to 20.3), but he was as efficient and productive as ever when he was on the floor.
The 6-1 guard averaged 8.7 points and 5.3 assists in a little over 20 minutes of action. Combine that with Haliburton's averages (20.7 points and 10.4 assists) and the Pacers got nearly 30 points and more than 15 assists per game from the point guard position alone.
Despite his diminutive size, McConnell has always had a knack for getting into the paint and making the right read. His first instinct is usually to try to pass to the open man, but when defenders look to take that away, McConnell has proven capable of scoring at the rim or in the mid-range. He did that as effectively as ever this season, converting 55.6 percent of his two-point attempts, the second-best percentage of his career.
But McConnell's biggest development this season was the increased confidence he displayed shooting from 3-point range.
Over his previous three seasons in Indiana, McConnell went 30-for-98 (30.6 percent) from 3-point range. He was so little of a threat from beyond the arc that even when defenses left him open and dared him to shoot, he would often turn down those looks.
But McConnell has slowly built up his confidence in his stroke. For the past two seasons, assistant coach Jenny Boucek has worked closely with McConnell on his shot, and all that work paid off in a big way this season.
McConnell shot threes more often and more effectively in 2022-23, going 26-for-59 (44.1 percent) from beyond the arc. While that wasn't quite enough attempts to qualify him for the league 3-point leaders, it was the best 3-point percentage of any player on the Pacers roster to take at least 50 attempts.
"I've been working on it for a while," McConnell said of his breakthrough from beyond the arc. "The value of game experience, though, going out there and breaking through that barrier -- especially in a game -- knowing you're going to miss some and to have the confidence to keep shooting them, it was big.
"I think in years prior I wouldn't have even attempt(ed) them because I'd think we could get a better shot. But the confidence in myself knowing if you leave me open I'm going to knock them down, that mindset wasn't necessarily there before. Happy I broke through that and got to that mindset and (was able to) continue to make teams pay when they leave me open."
McConnell had four games this season where he made multiple 3-pointers, none more memorable than Jan. 16 in Milwaukee. In that particular game, McConnell erupted for 25 points in the first half alone, going 9-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from 3-point range. He finished the night with a career-high 29 points, nine assists, and three steals.
Offensively, McConnell had a strong close to the season, scoring in double figures in his last eight and 11 of his last 13 games. With Haliburton sidelined for most of that stretch, McConnell elevated his game and helped lead Indiana to some impressive wins.
He had 19 points and 12 assists in the Pacers' win at Milwaukee on March 16, which was arguably their best victory of the season. He nearly recorded a triple-double in a March 31 victory over Oklahoma City, tallying 21 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
Defensively, McConnell continued to be a pest in his time on the floor. He ranked third on the team in steals, once again poaching his fair share of lazy inbounds passes, and was never afraid to dive on the floor or into the stands for loose balls, qualities that have endeared him to Pacers fans during his time in Indiana.
McConnell also served as a valuable veteran voice on a young Indiana roster. He provided guidance to Haliburton and helped mentor rookie guards Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin. He also led by example with his all-out effort on the court, the perfect illustration of the value in always laying it all on the line.
There is no better example of McConnell's connection with Pacers fans than his appearance at the PetSmart in Castleton on March 30. Fans showed up early and lined the length of the store just for the chance to meet the Pacers guard.
McConnell was clearly moved by the reception.
"It just kind of shows what type of people we have in this city and the type of fans that we have and how passionate they are about the Pacers," he said. "I just have so many things to say about this city, the fans, the organization."
The Pacers haven't made the playoffs since 2019-20, McConnell's first season in Indiana. But he is under contract for another two years and hopes to help lead the Blue & Gold back into the postseason.
"The playoffs -- it's special to be a part of," McConnell said. "To know we were close to getting there this year with such a young roster, I would hope everyone feels the same way as I do that I think we could be there very soon."
T.J. McConnell 2023 Exit Interview
2023 Pacers.com Player Review Schedule
April 17: Tyrese Haliburton
April 18: Myles Turner
April 19: Andrew Nembhard
April 20: Jordan Nwora
April 21: Aaron Nesmith
April 22: Isaiah Jackson
April 23: James Johnson
April 24: Bennedict Mathurin
April 25: T.J. McConnell
April 26: Oshae Brissett
April 27: Chris Duarte
April 28: Jalen Smith
April 29: Gabe York
April 30: Kendall Brown
May 1: George Hill
May 2: Daniel Theis
May 3: Buddy Hield