Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) reacts during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Baseball Team Honoring Surprise Pacers Player With His Own Theme Night

Originally posted on Indianapolis Pacers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Aug 14, 2025 5:00 PM ET

T.J. McConnell is one of the most popular players that the Indiana Pacers have had in quite a while. His style of play is something that the entire state of Indiana relates to.

McConnell is scrappy, resourceful, and relentless. His ability to create offense for himself and teammates is something that no one else in the league can duplicate.

The backup point guard is beloved in the city of Indianapolis. He's so beloved that the Indianapolis Indians, the AAA team of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is giving him his own night.

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Pacers guard T.J. McConnell gets honored by the Indianapolis Indians

On August 27th, the Indians are having T.J. McConnell night, honoring the backup point guard.

The @indyindians are hosting “T.J. McConnell Night” on Aug. 27 at Victory Field. They are the AAA affiliate of his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates.

He’ll throw out the first pitch and there will be special theme entertainment throughout the game. (Autographs from 5:30-6:10pm)
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) August 13, 2025

McConnell is a Pittsburgh native, so having his hometown major league team's AAA affiliate honor him his pretty cool. There will be a special theme for entertainment that has to do with him.

McConnell will also be there to sign autographs, which is something that will excite Pacers fans. He is already a fan favorite, so this is the perfect promotional night for the Indians to have.

Next season is going to be the most important full season of McConnell's career. He will be asked to play more minutes than he is used to because of the injury to Tyrese Haliburton.

Fans are going to see him play more important minutes than they are used to seeing, which might end up being a good thing for the Pacers.

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Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell will get his proper thanks from fans

Following the devastating loss in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, McConnell penned a letter in The Players' Tribune. He told fans that, as much as it hurt to lose, they are still going to surprise people next year.

Fans will get their first chance to thank McConnell since the run to the Finals for everything that he was able to do. It's a cool opportunity for both McConnell and the fans who love what he was able to do.

This past season, McConnell averaged 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. He shot 51.9 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.