T.J. McConnell had a breakout performance for the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, scoring 20 points in a series-clinching win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
NBA fans around the country were surprised by McConnell’s performance. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, however, wasn’t shocked at all. In fact, he expected it to happen.
During Thursday night’s postgame press conference, Haliburton was asked if he knew McConnell would have a big game against the Bucks.
Haliburton revealed that he knew McConnell would bounce back because his wife was in attendance for Game 6.
“I knew he was going to respond because his wife Val was here,” Haliburton said. “I always tell him he plays better when Val is at the games. He was a little down after Game 5 – he didn’t perform how he wanted to. I told him, ‘We’re going to go home and Val is going to be at the game and you’re going to be better.’ It happened, so shoutout Val.”
Most of the reporters at Haliburton’s press conference chuckled at that response.
“His wife Val was here and I always tell him he plays better when Val is at the games.”
Tyrese Haliburton reveals why he thinks TJ McConnell played so well in Game 6 😂 pic.twitter.com/HGElduAMZH
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2024
T.J. and Valerie have been together since high school. They got married in September 2017.
Over the years, T.J. and Valerie have shared countless photos on social media.
The Pacers will need McConnell to continue being a force off the bench if they want to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Game 1 between the Pacers and Knicks will take place on Monday night.