McConnell Siblings Shine in NBA and WNBA

On Thursday night, TJ McConnell’s pre-game attire turned heads, even outshining designer outfits at Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Pacers guard showed up at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, proudly wearing a jersey from the Phoenix Mercury, his sister Megan’s new team, which she had just signed with on Tuesday.

This display of support was definitely well-timed. In a nice twist, Megan was spotted at a Mercury game against the Golden State Valkyries, donning a Pacers jersey in a show of solidarity for her brother, despite being sidelined due to injuries.

It seems these sibling gestures might be lucky charms for both. The Mercury achieved an 86-77 win, and the Pacers pulled off an exhilarating 111-110 victory, fueled by an incredible fourth-quarter comeback. The highlight of the game was Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch jumper with only 0.3 seconds left, giving Indiana its first lead after being down by double digits.

Throughout the game, McConnell played a crucial role in keeping the Pacers competitive. He racked up nine points and four assists in just 17 minutes, particularly excelling during the first half.

At 33, McConnell has positioned himself as a dynamic asset off the bench, known for his high-energy defense and ability to penetrate opposing defenses and create scoring opportunities.

His sister Megan, now 23, is eager to establish herself in the WNBA as her career unfolds. She had a standout five-year career at Duquesne, wrapping up her senior season with an average of 18.4 points and 7.2 assists.

Last Saturday, she was in Indianapolis to cheer on the Pacers before heading to Phoenix to sign her contract. With this, the McConnells became the second active sibling duo in the NBA and WNBA, joining Amir and Nia Coffey.

All in all, it’s turning out to be quite a week for the McConnell family.