Indiana Pacers: 2 studs, 1 dud from gutsy win over the Sacramento Kings

TJ McConnell continues to turn his season around for the Indiana Pacers

I need to have a word with whoever told me that TJ McConnell has been quite disappointing to start the season. That impatient guy needs some sort of reprimanding.

Wait, that was me? Fine, I hereby hand in my apology.

With Brogdon out once more, TJ handed in another one of his best performances this season against Sacramento, finishing with18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. More impressively, he played excellent defense on De’Aaron Fox, holding the lead Kings guard to seven of 19 shooting on the floor.

McConnell’s spirited playmaking from last season was pretty manifest on this game. While he didn’t finish with a sterling assist total, the way he methodically attacked and stirred the defense with his perpetual pushing of the pace by circumventing on the paint, caught the Kings sleeping on multiple occasions, such as this one:

While Brogdon shouldn’t be out for any longer, McConnell’s sustained play at the point guard position will be crucial for the second unit that has been sorely lacking the same jolt that it normally provides. Luckily, by most indications, his recent uptick in production should be here to stay.