NBA FINALS: THUNDER VS. PACERS

June 16, 2025

T.J. McConnell

Indiana Pacers

Game 5: Postgame

Oklahoma City Thunder 120, Indiana Pacers 109

Q. Turnovers again really the difference tonight?

T.J. MCCONNELL: Yeah, and they outrebounded us. Just the turnovers were tough at a timely point in the game. We fought back, though, through all the turnovers and extra possessions we gave them and showed a lot of fight. But no moral victories. We got to go out and protect home court.

Q. Take us through your third quarter. When you get in that groove, do you just want to keep shooting?

T.J. MCCONNELL: I found a rhythm and my teammates kept finding me, so I’ve got to give credit to them. Just trying to put some energy in the game like I always do and get us jump-started.

Q. What do you think kind of opened up the offense for you guys in the third quarter compared to just how things were going in the first half?

T.J. MCCONNELL: I think just our relentless will to get downhill and move the ball and get it side to side. I think we played a little slow in the first half. We were getting the ball up the court and just getting it moving.

Q. What’s message to this group? Obviously you guys know what you have to do.

T.J. MCCONNELL: Protect home court. It’s really that simple.

Q. How do you describe the energy after this game?

T.J. MCCONNELL: It’s disappointing. We’re disappointed obviously. But we’ve got to flush it and, like I said, we’ve got to protect home court. Our backs up against the wall. I know our fans will be fired up. We’ve got to go out there and play and give everything we have.