Down 3-2 in the NBA Finals, with Tyrese Haliburton hobbled and their offense sputtering, the Indiana Pacers are staring into a very likely Finals loss. There’s still one glimmer of hope: an unheralded duo that could flip this series on its head.

T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin aren’t the Pacers’ stars. They weren’t supposed to be the ones saving Indiana’s season, yet as the Thunder stand one win away from a championship, these two might be the pieces that can drag this series to a Game 7.

McConnell: The 33-Year-Old Energizer Bunny Who Makes Everything Work

Rick Carlisle’s explanation for limiting McConnell’s minutes in Game 5 was simple:

“He was very tired. That’s why we got him out. I think there was a play early in the fourth where it looked like fatigue had set in.”

Fair—McConnell is 33, and the Thunder’s young legs (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace) can wear down even the most relentless competitors. Here’s the problem: Indiana’s offense stalls without him.

  • Ball Movement Stagnates – Nembhard is a solid defender, but he doesn’t orchestrate an offense. McConnell’s ability to dictate pace, read game situations, and his 4.2 assists per game (in just 17 minutes!) keep the Pacers’ attack humming.
  • Turnovers Turn into Thunder Points – Nembhard’s shaky decision-making and a banged-up Haliburton lead to live-ball mistakes, and OKC feasts in transition.
  • Defensive Chaos – Even at 33, McConnell averages 2.0 steals per game—more than Nembhard (1.2) in half the minutes.

The Verdict: If the Pacers want any shot at extending this series, McConnell must play 25-30+ minutes in Game 6—fatigue be damned.

Mathurin: The Aggressive, Physical Spark Plug

Mathurin didn’t shoot well in Game 5 (2-11 FG), but that doesn’t matter. Why? He does the things that tilt playoff games:

  • Draws fouls – Gets to the line even when his shot isn’t falling.
  • Fierce on-ball defense – Can body up Shai and Jalen Williams as well as Nembhard.
  • Relentless energy – Attacks the glass (7.1 rebounds per 36) and never stops moving.

Mathurin’s per-36 numbers (22.8 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.5 blk), including a 27-point performance coming from the bench on Game 3, suggest he’s ready for a bigger role—and with Haliburton hurt, Carlisle has no choice but to unleash him.

The Haliburton Dilemma: Should He Even Play?

Reports say Haliburton might try to gut it out in Game 6, but after his 0/6 shooting, 4-point disaster in Game 5, is that wise?

“We have to prepare for two scenarios—one where he plays and one where he does not” Carlisle said during an interview with an Indianapolis radio station.

If Haliburton’s compromised with his calf injury, forcing him into heavy minutes could backfire spectacularly. The Pacers might be better off:

  • Starting McConnell (Playmaker, tone-setter).
  • Giving Mathurin 30+ minutes (Scoring, physicality, defense).
  • Using Haliburton (if he plays) as a decoy: Spot minutes, catch and shoot focused, attacking the rim on punctual plays.

How This Duo Can Force Game 7

For Indiana to survive, McConnell and Mathurin must do three things:

  1. PUSH THE PACE – McConnell’s fast-break playmaking is Indiana’s best weapon against OKC’s set defense.
  2. LOCK DOWN SHAI – Mathurin’s strength and length, and McConnell’s active hands, could bother SGA more than Nembhard has.
  3. ATTACK THE RIM – Draw fouls and get OKC’s defense in rotation.

End Of My Pacers Duo Rant

The Pacers’ season now rests in the hands of a 33-year-old backup and a third-year wing. Honestly? That might be their best shot. They could be the offensive support that Pascal Siakam needed in the last couple of games.

If Indiana pulls it off? We’re headed back to OKC for a winner-take-all Game.

If the Pacers don’t? The Thunder will be celebrating on Indiana’s floor.