Rick Carlisle questioned for benching red-hot T.J. McConnell during crucial Game 5 4th-quarter stretch: 'Fatigue set in'

With Tyrese Haliburton playing through an injury, the Pacers needed a boost in their backcourt in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. T.J. McConnell provided it.

The veteran guard, who also had some key moments in a Game 3 victory, stepped up in the third quarter of Monday's matchup against the Thunder. While downing bucket after bucket, McConnell ran Indiana's offense as the team scraped and pulled within two points of an OKC team that had led for nearly the entire game.

But after his run in the third quarter, McConnell got little time on the floor in the fourth quarter, at least during important stretches. It was a decision by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle that was criticized postgame, as Indiana fell 120-109 and now has its back against the wall in the NBA Finals.

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Here's a breakdown of McConnell's huge performance in Game 5, plus what Carlisle had to say about benching the hot-handed guard in a pivotal game.

MORE: How the Thunder fended off Pacers' comeback in Game 5 to take 3-2 Finals lead

T.J. McConnell Game 5 stats vs. Thunder

• Minutes: 22
• Points: 18
• Rebounds: 4
• Assists: 4
• Steals: 2
• Blocks: 0
• Turnovers: 3
• Fouls: 3
• FG: 8-14
• 3P: 1-2
• FT: 1-1

It was a career night for McConnell, who's made a career out of hustle plays, mid-range shots, and accurate passing. With Haliburton off his game and dealing with lingering injury concerns, McConnell took the reigns of the offense for various stretches, including a huge third quarter for the Pacers.

He scored 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter, which the Pacers won 34-28, pulling within striking distance of another comeback.

T.J. McConnell spin cycle 🫨 pic.twitter.com/ki2AJJqwAs

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 17, 2025— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025

With McConnell and Obi Toppin hitting a groove on the massive stage, it seemed likely that the backup point guard had earned himself some more minutes for the fourth quarter of a back-and-fourth game. With Haliburton struggling, finishing the night with no field goals and just four points, McConnell's performance was coming at the perfect time.

But McConnell wound up sitting for the most important stretch vs. Oklahoma City. He checked out with 10:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, then returned to the floor at the 3:23 mark, when it was already 118-104 in favor of the Thunder. While the Pacers' starters did have a few good moments in the fourth quarter, Indy's guard with the hottest hand didn't get a shot to lead the offense.

Either way, McConnell still made some history with his performance, becoming the first player since James Harden in 2012 to post at least 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals off the bench in a Finals game.

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 17, 2025

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Why did Rick Carlisle bench T.J. McConnell?

It wasn't an entirely easy decision for Carlisle to bench McConnell in the fourth quarter; at the end of the day, Haliburton is the team's star point guard who got them this far. According to Scott Agness, Carlisle said postgame that even while dealing with injury issues, Haliburton insisted on continuing to play in the second half of Game 5.

That led to a coach's decision between playing his superstar who wasn't at 100% vs. subbing in other guards, like McConnell. Ultimately, Haliburton played for most of the fourth quarter, while McConnell watched from the bench. Andrew Nembhard also played heavy minutes (36) but wasn't very effective, totaling seven points and three assists.

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) June 17, 2025

Haliburton also reflected on that drive to continue playing postgame, saying that as long as he can walk, he'll be playing.

"I mean, it's the NBA Finals. I've worked my whole life to be here," Haliburton said. "It's not really a thought of mine to not play here."

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 17, 2025

Per Agness, Carlisle also said postgame that there was a point in the fourth quarter where he felt "fatigue had set in," prompting him to sub out McConnell before the "starters went on a run." The Pacers coach also took out Pascal Siakam, who was having an excellent all-around game, with under eight minutes remaining and his team trailing by seven.

But ultimately, it was Carlisle's willingness to stick by Haliburton through injury that led to McConnell being benched following his historic third quarter.

Postgame, McConnell was solely focused on Game 6, where he said the Pacers will have to "give everything we have."

— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) June 17, 2025