The Indiana Pacers knocked the Milwaukee Bucks out of the playoffs on Thursday night with a 120-98 victory in Game 6.
Perhaps the most impactful player for the Pacers was veteran guard T.J. McConnell, who came off the bench to score 20 points on 7-for-9 shooting to go along with nine assists and four steals in 23 minutes of action.
When asked about the impact that McConnell had on the outcome of the game, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton gave a pretty genuine response about his teammate.
“Yeah I knew he was gonna respond,” Haliburton said. “His wife Val was here and I always tell him that he plays better when Val is at the games. He was a little down after Game 5. He didn’t perform how he wanted to. I just told him, ‘Hey we’re gonna go home. Val is gonna be at the game. You’re gonna be better.’ And it happened, so shoutout Val!” Haliburton concluded with a big smile on his face.
McConnell’s shooting and playmaking prowess off the bench will certainly be needed in the Eastern Conference semifinals when the Pacers take on the New York Knicks.
Game 1 is set for Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.
