As the Indiana Pacers brace for a season of uncertainty, all eyes are shifting toward the unsung hero who has quietly become the team’s backbone: T.J. McConnell. With the 2025-2026 NBA season on the horizon, the Pacers are grappling with a roster overhaul and the daunting absence of star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who will miss the entire year due to injury. Yet, even as the franchise faces what many are calling a "gap year," there’s a prevailing sense of resilience in Indianapolis—and a belief that McConnell’s steady hand could be the key to weathering the storm.
Haliburton’s recent comments on the Young Man and the Three podcast, recorded on September 20, 2025, offered a rare glimpse into the Pacers’ practice battles and the pivotal role McConnell plays behind the scenes. "I always say that T.J. [McConnell] has helped me become great because in practice every day, most days, in practice I lose. I lose the majority of days in practice because of him. And that’s made me want to be a better player, a better practice player. He’s pushed me in so many different ways," Haliburton admitted. It’s a testament not just to McConnell’s competitive fire, but to the respect he commands from even the brightest young stars.
Since arriving in Indiana in 2019 after a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, McConnell has carved out a reputation as one of the NBA’s premier backup point guards. His gritty, tenacious play, coupled with elite passing and playmaking, have made him a fixture in the Pacers’ rotation. But as last season’s playoff run proved, the 10-year veteran can do more than just steady the ship—he can take the wheel when the stakes are highest. McConnell’s ability to step up in crucial moments has rendered him, in the eyes of many, nearly irreplaceable.
Now, with Haliburton sidelined, the Pacers must embrace a "next man up" mentality. Andrew Nembhard is expected to slide into the full-time starting point guard role, a significant leap for the promising young guard. But with Nembhard’s increased responsibilities comes greater reliance on McConnell, who, at 33, will be the only other true point guard on the roster unless the front office makes an additional move. The team is reportedly exploring options to add a third point guard, with names like Kam Jones, Quenton Jackson, and RayJ Dennis in the mix, or perhaps looking externally. Until then, McConnell’s presence looms larger than ever.
The Pacers’ situation is further complicated by the departure of Myles Turner, the defensive stalwart who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. Turner’s exit leaves a void not only in the frontcourt but also in the team’s leadership structure. Pascal Siakam, acquired in a blockbuster deal last season, will be tasked with a larger offensive role, but the ripple effects of losing both Haliburton and Turner are impossible to ignore. Indiana’s depth, especially at the guard position, is thinner than it’s been in years.
For McConnell, however, the mission remains unchanged. Despite the shifting landscape, he will continue to anchor the second unit, providing stability and veteran savvy to a group that suddenly looks much younger and less experienced. The Pacers’ coaching staff is counting on McConnell’s trademark energy and relentless defense to set the tone, both in games and in practice. If Nembhard falters early as he adjusts to his new responsibilities, the team will lean even more heavily on McConnell to keep the offense humming and maintain composure in tight contests.
Indiana’s recent playoff run, which saw them dispatch the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games before ultimately falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, was a testament to their high-octane style. The Pacers, along with the Thunder, posted the second and third fastest paces of play among all postseason teams—a stark contrast to the conventional wisdom that playoff basketball slows down. Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com noted that it was Indiana’s superb conditioning, relentless pace, and rapid ball movement that left the Cavaliers gasping for air. "The more the Cavs studied their loss in five games to Indiana in the second round of the playoffs, the more obvious that conditioning was an issue. Not that the Cavs were in bad shape. But the Pacers were in superb condition," Pluto wrote.
That relentless tempo was orchestrated by Haliburton, whose playmaking prowess became the engine of Indiana’s attack. But even as the Pacers’ Finals hopes were dashed by Haliburton’s devastating Achilles tear in Game 7 against the Thunder—a moment that will linger as one of the biggest "what-ifs" in recent NBA memory—the blueprint for success was clear: push the pace, move the ball, and outwork the opposition.
The Cavaliers, under new coach Kenny Atkinson, are reportedly aiming to emulate Indiana’s approach. With training camp looming, Atkinson is expected to push his squad to build up endurance, hoping to close the gap in pace and conditioning that proved decisive last spring. Pluto emphasized, "It came down to keeping up with the Pacers, who were among the NBA leaders in getting the ball past halfcourt the fastest … and throwing the most passes per possession." While Cleveland may lack a playmaker of Haliburton’s caliber, the lesson is clear: imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery—and perhaps the surest path back to contention.
Back in Indiana, the focus is less on what’s missing and more on who remains. McConnell’s role, though unchanged in title, becomes exponentially more vital. He’ll be asked to mentor Nembhard, steady the second unit, and serve as the emotional heartbeat of a team searching for its identity. For a franchise staring down a transitional year, having a player like McConnell—who brings consistency, grit, and a relentless drive to improve—offers a measure of solace to fans and coaches alike.
The Pacers may be bracing for turbulence, but with McConnell at the helm of the second unit and a hungry, evolving roster, there’s reason to believe they can stay competitive. As the season approaches, Indiana’s fortunes may well hinge on the veteran point guard’s ability to do what he’s always done: show up, fight hard, and make everyone around him better. And if Haliburton’s words are any indication, that’s a role McConnell relishes—one practice, one possession, and one game at a time.
With training camps set to open and rosters still in flux, the Pacers’ next chapter is about to be written. Whether it’s a gap year or the start of something new, T.J. McConnell’s steady presence ensures that Indiana won’t go quietly. The journey ahead may be uncertain, but in the heart of the Midwest, resilience is the name of the game.
