Is Pacers' T.J. McConnell resurrecting the lost art of the true point guard?

For a Pacers team that often plays at a brisk pace, his ability to balance tempo while minimizing mistakes has been critical. Rick Carlisle’s system requires guards who can recognize coverages quickly and deliver passes on time, and McConnell has fit seamlessly into that role.

Evolving into a complete offensive threat

The 2023-24 season highlighted how his game had matured. He averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 assists while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three, per Basketball Reference, proving he could stretch defenses just enough to complement his driving and passing. 

Even when his three-point attempts were limited, the threat of the shot allowed Indiana’s wings and bigs more room to operate. Last season, he sustained his efficiency with 9.1 points and 4.4 assists in 17.9 minutes per game on 51.9 percent shooting.

A key contributor in the 2025 NBA Finals

When the Pacers made their run to the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, McConnell’s reliability was one of the deciding factors. He averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds in just 17.5 minutes per playoff game while shooting 53.7 percent from the field, via NBA.com Playoff Stats.

His best performances came on the Finals stage. In Game 6, he delivered 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals to force a Game 7. In the finale, he fought to the end with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists even as the Thunder closed out the series.

A steady floor general

What makes McConnell’s impact unique is that he rarely needs to score to influence games. His smart playmaking, slashing and cutting ability, defensive intensity and knack for rebounding from the guard spot keep him integrated in every possession. Yet when the Pacers need an offensive spark, he has proven he can provide scoring bursts, including a career-high 29-point night that showcased his underrated ability to attack and finish.

For Carlisle, McConnell has become a modern version of the type of floor general he once coached, such as Jason Kidd during Dallas’s 2011 championship run. Kidd controlled the pace, organized the offense and defended the ball at a high level. McConnell provides the same structure for Indiana, stabilizing lineups and ensuring the Pacers’ stars operate in rhythm.

The true point guard is hiding in plain sight

From undrafted long shot to Finals contributor, McConnell represents more than a good story. He embodies the argument that the true point guard is not gone, only hiding in plain sight. 

His career is proof that basketball still rewards those who value efficiency, decision-making and defense over flash. For Indiana, that has meant a steady hand at the controls and for the league, a reminder that the lost art of the point guard is alive in McConnell.