T.J. McConnell put together an unbelievable performance off the bench for the Indiana Pacers in their 114-111 comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
McConnell scored 16 points, with 13 assists, and 10 steals. Yes, 10 steals. And he had NINE steals by halftime. That’s an NBA record (heck, the record for a *full game* is 11 steals).
It’s the 11th triple-double involving steals (since steals became official) in NBA history, and the first one off the bench.
T.J. McConnell recorded the 11th triple-double with steals since steals became official.
He's the first to do so off the bench 🤯
(via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/1SFZGflc1W
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 4, 2021
And it’s the first points-assists-steals triple double since Mookie Blaylock had one in 1998.
T.J. McConnell with the first points-assists-steals triple-double in almost 23 years: https://t.co/SgvpTp22rm
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) March 4, 2021
He’s also the sixth player to have a triple-double while 100% shooting from the field.
Triple-doubles on 100% shooting since the three-point era (1980):
– Bo Outlaw
– Draymond Green (2x)
– Russell Westbrook
– Nikola Jokic
– Evan Turner
– TJ McConnell (tonight) pic.twitter.com/RNIJd6guaV— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 4, 2021
While this is a performance that the Pacers won’t soon forget, they’re particularly happy about the victory after trailing by 19 points in the third quarter. It also snaps a four-game losing streak.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.