Sibling Love on Display

When TJ McConnell walked into Game 1 of the NBA Finals, he wasn’t just representing the Indiana Pacers—he was repping family. The veteran guard wore the Phoenix Mercury jersey of his sister, Megan McConnell, a proud nod to her WNBA career. As a data guy who lives for these human moments in sports, I couldn’t help but crunch the numbers: 9 points (6-of-4 shooting), 4 assists, and 1 steal in a clutch 111-110 win over the Thunder. Not bad for a guy who’s usually more about dimes than headlines.

The Stats Behind the Sentiment

Let’s break it down like a Lakers defensive scheme (too soon?):

• Efficiency King: TJ shot 66.7% from the field and hit his only three-pointer. Small sample size? Sure. But in playoff basketball, every bucket counts.
• Playmaking Punch: Those 4 assists might not jump off the page, but they came in just 18 minutes. Extrapolate that, and you’re looking at elite per-36 numbers.
• Defensive Grit: That one steal? Classic McConnell—undrafted hustle turned into winning plays.

Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score

As someone who thinks PER (Player Efficiency Rating) is poetry, even I can admit sports need stories like this. The WNBA doesn’t get half the shine it deserves, so seeing an NBA player spotlight his sister’s career? That’s what Mamba Mentality looks like—lifting others while you grind. And hey, if rocking Megan’s jersey was his good-luck charm, maybe more guys should borrow their sisters’ gear.

Hot Take Alert: If the Pacers win this series, we’re blaming Mercury fans for not sending TJ enough jerseys earlier in the playoffs.