The Indiana Pacers suffered Game 7 heartbreak in the NBA Finals.
After pushing the much-favored Oklahoma City Thunder to the edge in the first series to go the distance since 2016, Indiana came up just short in a 103-91 loss on Sunday night.
The Thunder beat the Pacers in Game 7 to win the NBA Finals on SundayGettyEmotions were running high following the final buzzer, and as the Thunder celebrated bringing the championship to Oklahoma City for the first time on their home court, Pacers stars tried to escape back to the locker room.
With ESPN cameras in position to capture the atmosphere in every corner of the Paycom Arena as MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates celebrated, one followed Indiana guard T.J. McConnell as he made his way down the tunnel.
Understandably upset after coming up short in his quest for an elusive NBA title, the 33-year-old was met with a big hug.
As a camera pulled in close to capture the emotional moment, the woman consoling McConnell shooed it away.
“Stop! Stop,” she is heard shouting on the broadcast, before it cuts to a different angle.
The heartbreaking footage soon went viral on social media, with many people assuming the woman standing with McConnell was his mom.
“T.J. McConnell’s mom waves off the ESPN crew as they follow him crying down the tunnel,” Underdog posted on X.
TJ Mcconnell’s mom was not f****** w the camera crew lmaooo,” added another.
However, according to Sports Illustrated, it was actually Karen Atkeson, Pacers vice president of player relations, who cut the broadcast off.
Fans were quick to praise Atkeson for her actions, while also criticizing ESPN’s attempt to follow McConnell into the locker room.
McConnell was consoled by a member of the Pacers organization after Game 7ESPN on ABC She was seen shooing the camera away from the emotional starESPN on ABC“Why can’t cameramen give players some space after a tough loss?” one person asked.
“Get those clowns away. It’s a private moment. He played great,” another said.
“ESPN is Garbage. Worst finals presentation ever,” a third wrote.
“Guy played his ass off and got no respect,” a fourth suggested.
“Rude af. Give him some room,” another said.
McConnell put up 16 points off the bench in Game 7 as the Pacers dealt with a devastating injury to star guard Tyrese Haliburton, which all but ended their hopes of winning the series.
Tied at 16-16 with five minutes left in the first quarter, Indiana’s on-court leader had the ball in his hands and looked to drive to the basket.
But as he pushed off, he fell to the floor when his right leg gave out, and knew immediately that his night was over.
Haliburton went down with a devastating injury in the first quarterGettyHaliburton was seen slapping the floor repeatedly while wailing, ‘No! No!’ as he was surrounded by his teammates.
The star was then helped back to the visitors’ locker room without putting weight on his leg, and his father, John Haliburton, later told ESPN’s Lisa Salters that he had suffered an Achilles injury.
Without their star man, the Pacers got outscored 87-75 the rest of the way to lose 103-91 to the Thunder.
McConnell, who gave his all on Sunday night, was able to gather his thoughts and thank Pacers fans as he stood in front of reporters after being consoled in the tunnel.
“They’re absolutely incredible,” the tearful star said of Indiana’s support.
“Just want to apologize for coming up short. We wouldn’t be in this position without em’.
“They’ve willed us to a lot of wins, and it’s an honor and a pleasure to play in front of them.”
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