INDIANAPOLIS -- The best insight T.J. McConnell got into what has put Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on the precipice of becoming the 11th NBA coach to amass 1,000 regular-season wins came during the first round of the 2024 playoffs when McConnell was struggling in the Pacers' series against the Bucks.

The 2023-24 regular season was arguably the best of McConnell's career and it was bothering the veteran point guard that he wasn't upholding that same standard in the playoffs. Through the first five games against Milwaukee he had reached 10 points just once and was shooting 37% from the floor. In Game 5, he was 3 of 10 from the floor for six points and had just three assists against two turnovers and the Pacers were -18 in his minutes in a 115-92 loss.

See Full Page