Jun 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates after a play in the third quarter during game six of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Ex-Clippers Star Makes Surprising Finals MVP Pick Ahead of Game 7

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Will Despart | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 3:16 PM ET

With Game 7 of the NBA Finals on the horizon, one of the most prevalent discussions throughout the talk show cycle on Friday morning was the debate about who the Pacers' Finals MVP would be in the event they upset the Thunder on Sunday.

Former Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams offered a surprising pick on FanDuel's "Run It Back." He said that if he had one, his vote for the Finals MVP award would go to Pacers reserve TJ McConnell. However, Williams also offered a more realistic pick in Pascal Siakam.

"If I had a vote for Finals MVP, I would vote for T.J. McConnell...I am the 6th man. Who's gonna make a case for the guys coming off the bench other than me?"@TeamLou23 talks the effects of a Pacers win in Game 7 ️@boogiecousins | @MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/BRTfE30QKd
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) June 20, 2025

"You can make a case with TJ McConnell, I know I would if I had a vote," WIllaims said. "Listen, I am the the sixth man. Who's going to make a case for the guys coming off the bench and make sure they get celebrated (if not) me. I think with what he's been able to do, he's been one of the most impactful guys with his presence and taking advantage of every minute that he's been on the floor."

McConnell's presence off the bench has been a significant reason the Pacers have been able to force game seven against an Oklahoma City team seeking its 84th win this season. According to StatMuse, O'Connell is the first bench player in NBA history with 60+ points, 20+ rebounds, and 15+ assists in a single NBA Finals.

TJ McConnell is the first bench player in NBA history with

60+ points
25+ assists
15+ rebounds

in an NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/Tpwvz1vPLq
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 20, 2025

Game 7 is set to tip at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, live on ABC from the PayCom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder opened as eight-point favorites against the spread, but that line has since dropped to just -6.5.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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