CLEVELAND – – TJ McConnell set an NBA record with nine steals in the first half and posted his second triple-double career with 16 points, 13 assists and 10 steals, the best of the franchise, taking the Indiana Pacers to a 114-111 victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
McConnell also made 8 of 8 field shots in 36 minutes off the bench, while Indiana was recovering from a 19-point handicap in the third quarter to end their four-game losing streak. Malcolm Brogdon scored 29 points and Domantas Sabonis scored 18 points for the Pacers.
“It’s as good a TJ game as you will see in the NBA, with the many ways it has affected you,” said Brogdon. “He is also the best teammate, so we were all very happy for him.”
The NBA record for 11 steals in a game is shared by Kendall Gill, of New Jersey, on April 3, 1999, against Miami, and by Larry Kenon, of San Antonio, on December 26, 1976, in Kansas City.
The best of McConnell’s previous career was six steals on two occasions, the last one on February 12, 2018, against New York, when he made his first triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. The sixth year professional leads the league in steals with 2.0 per game.
“The guys showered me with water after the game, but I don’t remember much about it because it was too cold,” said McConnell, laughing. “It wasn’t pleasant, but it was pleasant at the same time, if that makes any sense.”
Collin Sexton had 32 points, 10 assists and three steals, and Jarrett Allen had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who made 26 turns and had their four-game winning streak interrupted. They maintained an 81-62 lead in the middle of the third.
Indiana definitely went up in 108-106 on a score of 3 from Justin Holiday with 1:18 remaining. After a Dylan Windler layup pulled Cleveland to 112-111, Brogdon made two free throws with a second to go and the Cavaliers failed to make a possible equalizer shot.
“It was very, very big for us and a really impressive game for TJ,” said Indiana coach Nate Bjorkgren. “You will always get his effort at both ends. He has that look every night. “
Indiana stole the ball in six consecutive Cleveland possessions in the first period – five from McConnell – and scored 11 consecutive points. The Pacers scored 35 points on turnovers, more than making up for a total of five rebounds in the first half.
“McConnell deserved it, he deserved it tonight,” said Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff. “He’s a plague all the time. He’s super competitive all the time. “
Cleveland guard Darius Garland scored 16 points in 19 minutes before being eliminated with a sprained left groin.
Sexton had 14 points and 10 assists at halftime and became the first Cavaliers player to have double-digit assists in the first half since LeBron James on February 6, 2017, in Washington.
HISTORY LESSON
McConnell is the first NBA player to record a triple-double point-assist-theft since Atlanta’s Mookie Blaylock had 14 points, 11 assists and 10 steals against Philadelphia on April 14, 1998.
“I was just playing with our defensive principles and trying to help manage the team, I was not trying to steal,” said McConnell. “We kind of dug a hole for ourselves, so I’m happier with the win.”
TIP-INS
Pacers: G Doug McDermott (broken tooth) visited the dentist on Tuesday and was a regular. … G Jeremy Lamb (pain in his left knee) returned to action after losing a game. … G Caris LeVert (left kidney carcinoma) and F TJ Warren (stress fracture in the left foot) remain out, but LeVert may make his Indiana debut later this month, after being acquired in the mega-negotiation James Harden.
Cavaliers: F Dean Wade made his fifth consecutive match and set the record for his career with 17 points and five out of 3 points. “Dean is a very nice guy, to be honest with you, which is why the other guys are so happy with his success,” said Bickerstaff. … F Taurean Prince (pain in his left ankle), who was limited to one game and eight minutes since February 14, was Cleveland’s fourth player off the bench.
NEXT
Pacers: Host Denver on Thursday. After the All-Star break, Indiana goes on the road for three games starting on March 12 at the Lakers.
Cavaliers: Visit New Orleans on March 12. Cleveland will not play another game at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse until March 17 against the Celtics.
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