After the Pacers’ defeat by the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, TJ McConnell’s mom, Shelly, responded firmly when ESPN cameras captured her son crying in her embrace.
As McConnell made his way through the tunnel at OKC’s Paycom Center, ESPN followed closely. His mother was there to offer private comfort following Indiana’s 103-91 loss to Oklahoma City.
“Stop!” Shelly said as she put her hand up to the camera.
The camera followed the mother-son duo as they walked arm-in-arm down the hallway.
McConnell kept his head down and on Shelly’s shoulder as she kept telling the camera person to stop filming.
Eventually, they backed off.
McConnell also received support from Pacers alum Reggie Miller, who was waiting to console the team in the back hallways at Paycom Center.
The veteran guard — who stepped when Tyrese Haliburton went down with an Achilles injury — was crying in Miller’s arms, as seen in a social media video.
McConnell finished with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Pacers will be faced with a decision at the point guard position if Haliburton misses the entirety of the 2025-26 season.
McConnell proved himself a worthy candidate with his strong performacne in the Pacers’ postseason run, which included upsets of the Cavaliers and Knicks, and came up one win short of a championship.
