Debrief: T.J. McConnell is an experienced teacher. Going forward, what he learned is more important.
McConnell is fighting norms with his age. Can he do it again?
INDIANAPOLIS – T.J. McConnell was one of the few Pacers players that had previous experience with a truly miserable season. Some had been on bad teams before, but McConnell was a member of the 2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers squad that finished 10-72. That team started 0-18. They were a different level of awful.
As the Pacers oldest player, and one of just two over 30 years old, it's important that McConnell had that experience. No part of a 19-win season is easy. But it's more manageable when a veteran can steer his teammates behind the scenes, and McConnell did what he could on that front this season.
"I know firsthand what that's like," McConnell said at his exit interview.
Tony East
McConnell was 23-years old when his team lost over 70 times. After going undrafted, he played in 81 games that season. It set the tone for his career. He improved tremendously that year and has been a rotational mainstay ever since.
Nobody wants to go 10-72. But that season shaped McConnell's path, and he's hopeful that 2025-26 can have a similar impact for the 19-63 Pacers.
"In the moment, you're just trying to soak up as much information and play as well as you can," McConnell said of the overwhelming losing seasons. "But when you reflect on it and see the bigger picture through it all. The valuable experience that I gained through it, and to see the young guys able to do the same thing this season... it's really valuable, especially for young guys."
Thanks to his experience and age, McConnell was a teacher this season. Even when the team is good he fills that role, but he did more as the Pacers bridged the gap from one contending season to what they'll hope is another. Young players hear McConnell's voice and feel his day-to-day work. He's one of the more studied veterans in the league for a reason.
Yet a key part of the season for McConnell is actually what he learned more than what he taught. In March, McConnell turned 34. Thanks to a preseason muscle injury and other ailments throughout the year, he played in just 56 games. That's the second-fewest of McConnell's career and just the second time he's played fewer than 69 times in one campaign.
27 players who were aged 33 or older were deployed for more than 950 minutes this past season. McConnell was one of them. He, 0f course, is already 34 and turns 35 next season. Only 19 players aged 34 and up played 950+ minutes in 2025-26. Of those 19, 17 were former All-Stars (shoutout to Nicolas Batum and CJ McCollum).
That's all to say two things. One: It's hard for NBA players to remain effective deep into their 30s unless they have elite basketball acumen built through years of elite play. Two: McConnell is an anomaly.
The Pacers need him to continue to be one. Short guards don't play well for this long. Non All-Stars usually fall off by now. But McConnell hasn't, and he's the perfect backup point guard for how the Pacers play.
So while some of his 2025-26 was about teaching, another key part of it needs to be about learning. More specifically, McConnell needs to have learned more about what it takes to keep himself on the floor and effective during season 12 and beyond.
Managing one's body gets harder and harder in the NBA. "I think, especially as your career goes on, you find ways to take care of your body better. But unfortunately, sometimes injuries kind of take their toll on a year, and there's really nothing you can do," he said. "Our training staff has been unbelievable. I'm still finding ways that I can get ahead of things as I get older in my career."
McConnell missed the Pacers first 10 games before suiting up in the next 18. His attendance from Christmas to mid-March was spotty, but he played most of the time. After a nine-game push to close out March, McConnell didn't play in April.
It's possible, if not likely, that his number of games played would have been higher if the team was better. But even still, had he played a dozen more times it still would have been his second-fewest games played in a season. Maybe it's an outlier, but McConnell has to know if that's the case.
The Pacers will need him to produce to reach their goals in 2026-27. Thanks to a strong close to the most recent campaign, McConnell's season stats didn't dip much. But there were some signs of aging – most obviously in his free throw rate and how often he got up shots at the rim – that the veteran guard will be forced to combat next season. A return to his normal role should help, too.
Next season is the last one that is fully guaranteed on McConnell's contract. After that, there's two seasons of funny money between some lighter guarantees and a team option. In short: that's another reason the Pacers require McConnell's effectiveness one more time. Their financial structure depends on it.
So while McConnell was vital as a teacher in 2025-26, the most important part of his campaign is how much he learned about his body. If he can stay on the court and remain a weapon, then the lessons for him in a gap year will have been worth it.
The last time his team lost a ton of games, McConnell turned it into a positive. Does he have that in him again?
Thank you for reading. Let's talk about some Ivica Zubac tomorrow. Subscribe so you don't miss it.
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