The Indiana Pacers (15-43) aren't too concerned about winning games this season, but head coach Rick Carlisle still needs enough healthy players to finish the campaign. Veteran point guard TJ McConnell tried to scare his teammates a little during Tuesday night's home game against the Philadelphia 76ers (31-26).
McConnell recorded a steal and had an uncontested breakaway at the end of the first quarter. Initially it looked like he might dunk the ball, but he went for a layup instead. The 33-year-old man suddenly stopped and started holding her leg, which revealed the entire incident. He flashed a big smile as he walked back to the court and the bench did the same.
TJ McConnell got a flat tire on this transition layup attempt and feigned injury before leaving the Pacers bench, holding his hamstring. pic.twitter.com/HUT9sK6Xel
- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 February 2026
The Pacers currently sit in last place in the Eastern Conference, but they are still managing to stay upbeat amid all the on-court misery. McConnell has over a decade of NBA experience and has been with Indiana since the 2019-20 season, so he presumably bears the responsibility of keeping locker-room morale at a satisfactory level. Leadership can take many forms, including self-deprecation.
Duquesne and Arizona's untapped talent provided the Pacers with a good laugh, and laughter can be quite therapeutic when the team is stuck in the basement. The organization is willing to tolerate the losses until Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and others recover, especially if it means landing a top-five pick in an vaunted draft class, but losing on a regular basis is sure to take a toll on players.
TJ McConnell is doing his part to keep the Pacers on the field. There are many layers to the tireless, high-motor playmaker, but first and foremost, he's on the roster to bring energy. No. 9 certainly accomplished that mission with his "old-man" layup.
