If you were watching the Indiana Pacers take on the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, you saw the usual T.J. McConnell experience. It was frantic. It was gritty. It was full of those baseline jumpers that look like they shouldn't go in, but almost always do.
So, let's get right to the numbers. T.J. McConnell scored 8 points in his last game against the Toronto Raptors on January 14, 2026.
He didn't just stand in the corner. In 21 minutes of action, McConnell shot 4-of-8 from the floor. He didn't hit a three, and honestly, we don't expect him to at this point. That's just not his game. He’s the guy who sneaks behind the defense for a layup or finds that sweet spot in the midrange.
Breaking Down the Performance Against Toronto
It wasn't a career night. Far from it.
The Pacers actually lost that one 115-101. It was a bit of a letdown after they had managed to scrape together a three-game winning streak. While the 8 points might look modest on a box score, McConnell was actually one of the few bright spots in terms of efficiency. He finished the game with a plus-minus of +8.
Think about that for a second.
👉 See also: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
The team lost by 14 points, but when McConnell was on the floor, Indiana actually outscored Toronto by 8. It’s that classic "T.J. Factor" where the energy shifts the moment he checks in at the scorer's table.
Beyond the Scoring
If you're only looking at how many points did TJ McConnell have last game, you're missing the forest for the trees. The guy is a walking stat-sheet stuffer.
- Assists: He dished out 6 dimes.
- Steals: He swiped 2 balls, continuing his reputation as a "backcourt pest."
- Rebounds: He grabbed 2 boards.
- Turnovers: Zero. Absolutely none.
Managing the secondary unit without turning the ball over a single time in 21 minutes is exactly why Rick Carlisle trusts him so much. He plays like a coach on the floor, which makes sense given his pedigree.
How This Compares to His Recent Stretch
McConnell has been on a bit of a roller coaster lately. Just a week ago, on January 8th, he absolutely torched the Charlotte Hornets for a season-high 23 points.
He went 10-for-17 in that game. It was one of those nights where he decided he was going to be the primary option because nobody else could buy a bucket. Then, contrast that with the game against Boston on January 12th, where he only finished with 5 points.
✨ Don't miss: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
He’s a situational player.
When the Pacers need scoring punch off the bench because Bennedict Mathurin is struggling or sidelined, McConnell takes more shots. When the starters are rolling, he’s happy to just facilitate and annoy the opposing point guard for 94 feet.
The Current State of the Pacers Backcourt
Right now, the Indiana rotation is in a weird spot. With Tyrese Haliburton dealing with his long-term recovery and Mathurin moving in and out of the lineup with a thumb issue, McConnell’s minutes have been hovering around the 18 to 22-minute mark.
Most people get it wrong—they think he's just a "hustle guy."
He’s actually one of the most efficient midrange shooters in the league. If you look at his shot chart from the last few games, it's almost entirely paint touches and 10-footers. He rarely ventures out to the arc. In the Toronto game, he took one three-pointer and missed it. That’s pretty much the standard.
🔗 Read more: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
What to Expect Moving Forward
If you're tracking his stats for fantasy or just because you love the way the "floor general" plays, keep an eye on the injury report.
When the Pacers play teams with high-pressure defenses, McConnell usually sees more floor time because he's the best ball-handler they have for breaking a press. The Raptors game was a prime example of that. Even in a loss, his ability to settle the offense was obvious.
If you are looking for the next step in tracking his progress, watch the assist-to-turnover ratio. That is usually a better indicator of whether he had a "good" game than the raw point total. His 8 points against Toronto were fine, but the 6 assists with zero turnovers were the real story for those of us watching the film.
Keep an eye on the upcoming matchup against Miami. The Heat play a physical style that usually brings out the best (and the most aggressive) version of McConnell. He might double that point total if the lanes open up.