Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle talks win over Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Indiana Pacers‘ T.J. McConnell turned some heads with his wardrobe choice before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 5, showing up to the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Paycom Center in a Phoenix Mercury jersey.
A Phoenix Mercury jersey?
Why would the former University of Arizona standout (2013-15) — and current Pacers guard — wear a WNBA jersey to his first NBA Finals game?
Because the No. 16 Mercury jersey just so happens to belong to McConnell’s sister, Megan, who made her debut for the WNBA team on June 3.
Not a bad week for the McConnell family, with T.J. making his NBA Finals debut and Megan making her WNBA debut.
T.J. McConnell had nine points and four assists in 17 minutes of action in the Pacers’ epic 111-110 comeback win over the Thunder in Game 1.
Megan McConnell had three points and three assists in 13 minutes in the Mercury’s 88-65 loss to the Minnesota Lynx in her first WNBA game appearance.
Megan McConnell repaid the favor at the Mercury’s 86-77 win over the Golden State Valkyries on June 5, wearing her brother’s No. 9 Indiana Pacers jersey before the game, a game in which she didn’t play because of injury.
Not a bad week for the McConnell family.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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