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While Oklahoma City Thunder has celebrated the first title of the team’s NBA since the move in 2008, the Indiana Pacers were in shock from the defeat of match 7 in the NBA final.
This was summed up in a last match after an exhausting battle throughout the regular season and the playoffs for the two teams, but one would always come out victorious from the other. It was the Home Thunder who fled with the second half, and the emotions of the loss were difficult for some pacers players, including the guardian of veteran TJ McConnell.
McConnell, who paid 16 points after the Indiana lost Tyrese Haliburton for the match with an injury to the right of Achille, was clearly emotional when he left the court after the defeat of 103-91.
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TJ McConnell, n ° 9 of the Indiana Pacers, manages the ball during the match against Oklahoma City Thunder in the seventh game of the NBA 2025 final on June 22, 2025 at the Paycc Center in Oklahoma City. (Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)
The devastation of falling just short was the installation while crossing the visitor’s tunnel accompanied by Karen Atkeson, the vice-president of relations of the Pacers players.
The two kissed as they headed for the locker room, and McConnell stopped to rely on Atkeson’s shoulder to probably let all his emotions escape.
Thunder Blow Out Pacers in match 7 to win the NBA championship
An ESPN camera captured the moment, and Atkeson did not appreciate it, hunting the cameraman while comforting McConnell.
“Stop, stop,” said Atkeson, waving the camera far from her and McConnell.
The Indiana Pacers TJ McConnell goalkeeper, # 9, dribble against the Oklahoma Cason Wallace Thunder goalkeeper, # 22, during the second half of the NBA 2025 final game at the Paycc Center. (Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn)
McConnell was also seen by sharing a hug with the Pacers Great Reggie Miller, who was in the Paycc Center supporting his former team in match 7. Miller, in the rear corridors leading to the locker room, consoled McConnell, who remained emotional after the match.
The Pacers and the Thunder switched on the offensive once the match, but Haliburton’s Achilles injury put a brake on what could have been a fantastic end for him after hitting all his four three -point attempts in the first quarter.
McConnell and the other Pacers were responsible for taking over, and although the 10 -year -old veteran did his part, the Indiana had problems with the reversals and the Thunder capitalized.
McConnell ended his sixth NBA season with the Pacers after starting his career with the Philadelphia 76ers.
TJ McConnell, n ° 9 of the Indiana Pacers, examined the match against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the seventh game of the NBA 2025 final on June 22, 2025 at the Payônc Center in Oklahoma City. (Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)
In this year’s playoff series, he collected an average of 9.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds over 23 games, while pulling 53.7% on the field.
