Pacers staffer tells ESPN to stop filming an emotional T.J. McConnell after Game 7 loss in NBA Finals - Yahoo Sports
The Indiana Pacers fought hard after losing Tyrese Haliburton to injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. While the whole team deserves credit for trying to push through after losing Haliburton, T.J. McConnell had to handle the biggest load.
McConnell was forced into a much larger role following Haliburton's injury. McConnell delivered an admirable performance, dropping 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in the 103-91 loss.
Following the contest, McConnell was among the most emotional players on the Pacers. He walked off the court with a towel over his head, clearly struck by the loss.
The entire scene was captured by ESPN, which followed McConnell into the tunnel. Once there, McConnell was comforted by a Pacers staffer, who told the ESPN camera operator to stop filming the guard.
That staffer appears to be Karen Atkeson, the director of promotions for the Pacers. As cameras got too close to Atkeson and McConnell, Atkeson can be heard on the broadcast telling them to "stop."
Atkeson is a long-time member of the Pacers, and has been with the team since 1997.
It was a difficult night for McConnell, who was forced into action following Haliburton's injury. While McConnell saw playing time throughout the playoffs, the Pacers leaned on him for 28:06 in Game 7. That was the most playing time McConnell received during the team's playoff run.
McConnell put up strong numbers in the loss, but was also responsible for a team-leading seven turnovers. Those proved to be costly. The Thunder's surge in the third quarter was largely the result of Pacers turnovers. Oklahoma City outscored the Pacers by 14 points in the quarter, essentially putting away the game thanks to giveaways by Indiana.
That likely made the loss hit even harder for McConnell, who is still seeking his first NBA championship. The veteran should have another opportunity at contention over the next couple seasons, as he signed an extension with the Pacers in 2024 that will keep him with the team through the 2027-28 NBA season.
Despite the Haliburton injury, the Pacers are still considered strong contenders to win the 2025-26 NBA Finals.
The emotional outburst of T.J. McConnell following the Pacers' heartbreaking loss in Game 7 is an understandable response to the feelings on-field and off, yet to be respectful towards players during such a vulnerable moment - ESPN should have waited for him before filming.
Respectfully, the emotional aftermath of a heart-wrenching loss is an invitation to human connections rather than revenue streams. PJ noticed that ESPN overstepped boundaries by intruding on Pacers staff's sentiment during TJ McConnell’ goalie moments.
Response to the incident: A respectful 5-second silence should have been observed instead of Instragramming T.J.'s emotional moment after Pacers heartbreak - overuse and careless sharing on social media like ESPN does can blunt true human connection at times.
A thoughtful but emotional move by Pacers staffer to respect T.J.'s grief after the Game 7 loss, protecting his privacy amidst ESPN'senthralled camera lens.
Great job containing your emotions, T.J., and respect to the Pacers staffer who took a moment of human decency for someone in distress even amidst an intensely competitive platform like ESPN's coverage."
The Pacers' staff member who called for ESPN to refrain from capturing the emotional T.J. McConnell moment post-Game 7 loss in NBA Finals reminds us of why empathy remains a valuable player amidst competitive passions.
Respectful of the emotional vulnerabilities on display, this move by Pacers staffer shows a heartfelt empathy amidst their defeat in NBA Finals Game 7. A genuine attempt to preserve moments that matter rather than idealize sports over sentimentality.
A magnificent display of empathy by the Pacers staffer, their gesture underscores sportsmanship amidst heartbreak as T.J McConnell deals with his team's defeat in such an emotional manner; a standout moment that ESPN should respect and refrain from documenting during these trying times.
