T.J. McConnell poured in 15 points off the bench for the Pacers in Sunday’s game four rout over the Knicks, as he is now averaging 12.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in 21.3 minutes of action so far this series.
It has been enough to set Gio off while watching the pesky point guard make the most of his minutes off the bench.
“He is the biggest pain-in-the-ass opponent that I have seen in a while,” Gio said. “The way he’s getting to the basket, he’s finishing, playing defense. He’s been incredible in this series, and just so frustrating. He always seems like he’s a step ahead or outworking everyone he’s guarding.”
Boomer agrees that McConnell has managed to make an impact whenever his name has been called, and if it had been called more often, the Pacers may have had the Knicks on the brink of extinction by now.
“I think Rick Carlisle lost game two because he didn’t play him,” Boomer said.