TJ McConnell Opens Up on ‘Devastating’ NBA Finals Loss to OKC Thunder originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The 2025 NBA Finals could have gone either way. The Indiana Pacers pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to the limit in that matchup. However, a devastating injury to Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 went a long way to sealing the deal in the Thunder’s favor.
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This isn’t to invalidate the ring, and put an asterisk beside it like many fans love doing nowadays. You can only play who’s in front of you, and the Thunder did just that.
T.J. McConnell admitted it was a tough moment to see the Thunder win at their expense in the fashion that everything unfolded. The Pacers point guard opened up about it in his piece with The Players’ Tribune.
Jun 4, 2025; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) during NBA Finals Media Day at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
T.J. McConnell admits to the ‘hurt’ felt from NBA Finals defeat
McConnell said, “Your season ends the way ours did……. you’re pretty much feeling like a little kid in that moment. It’s just total helplessness, you know??”
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The backup guard continued, “You go from walking onto the floor, pre-game, and you’re believing in your heart you’re about to win a championship — to then suddenly you’re walking off and it’s over. Just over, the end, time to go home. Plus our guy is on crutches and we all know what it is. I could tell you how that moment was bittersweet, or how there were mixed emotions, but I’d be lying.”
McConnell’s next words were very blunt. The veteran guard was brutally honest with his feelings.
“It was just f***ing devastating, man. And if I told you that this past month has been any better……. I’d be lying, too. Every time I remember how close we came, it hurts all over again.”
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Being on the winning side has certainly been a sweet feeling for the Thunder and their fans. One they will hope to replicate next season to avoid the type of agony, that can be read in McConnell’s comments, which comes with defeat.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.