Pacers staff confronts ESPN camera capturing emotional TJ McConnell after NBA Finals loss to Thunder

Chris Broussard joins Colin Cowherd to discuss the NBA Finals, the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers, and trade destinations for Kevin Durant.

While the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated the team’s first NBA title since relocating in 2008, the Indiana Pacers were reeling from Game 7’s loss in the NBA Finals. 

It came down to one final game after a grueling battle throughout the regular season and postseason for both teams, but one was always going to come out victorious over the other. It was the home Thunder who ran away with it in the second half, and the emotions of the loss were hard for some Pacers players, including veteran guard T.J. McConnell. 

McConnell, who poured in 16 points after Indiana lost Tyrese Haliburton for the game with a right Achilles injury, was clearly emotional as he left the court following the 103-91 loss.

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T.J. McConnell, #9 of the Indiana Pacers, handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The devastation of falling just short was still setting in as he walked through the visitor’s tunnel accompanied by Karen Atkeson, the Pacers’ vice president of Player Relations. 

The two embraced as they walked toward the locker room, and McConnell stopped to lean on Atkeson’s shoulder to presumably let out all of his emotions. 

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An ESPN camera was capturing the moment, and Atkeson did not appreciate it, shooing away the cameraman while comforting McConnell. 

"Stop, stop," Atkeson was heard saying while waving the camera away from her and