VIDEO: T.J. McConnell Sets NBA Record

T.J. McConnell had himself quite a night in Indiana's 114-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. McConnell set an NBA record 9 steals in the 1st half. He finished the game with 10 steals - his most important one coming with just over one minute remaining in the game, as he poked the ball loose leading to a Malcolm Brogdan breakaway layup to make it a two-possession game. 

🤯 10-STEAL TRIP-DUB FOR T.J. 🤯@TJMcConnell (16 PTS, 13 AST) grabs a career-high and @Pacers franchise-record 10 STL for the 11th triple-double with steals since they began being tracked in 1973-74! pic.twitter.com/PsMr6eUzO3

— NBA (@NBA) March 4, 2021

Not only that, but he also shot a perfect 8/8 from the field and had 16 points to go along with 13 assists for the rare point/assist/steal triple-double. He's the first player since Atlanta's Mookie Blaylock to record a triple-double in that manner, as Blaylock had 14 points, 11 assists & 10 steals against Philadelphia on April 14, 1998.

McConnell's 10 steals was only one shy of tying the NBA record for steals in a game (11), which is held by Kendall Gill and Larry Kenon.

TJ McConnell tonight:

16 PTS
13 AST
10 STL (9 in 1st half, NBA record)
8-8 FG

He is the first player to record a triple-double with steals on 100% shooting since steals became official in 1973-74. pic.twitter.com/zv8LpTipAd

— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 4, 2021

It was an interesting night in the NBA, as 4 players reached the coveted triple-double mark. Prior to tonight, the last time it happened was 14 days ago, and before that? Back on February 25, 1999. 

4 triple-doubles (so far) tonight: James Harden, TJ McConnell, Dennis Smith, Mason Plumlee.

Last time it happened? 14 days ago (Morant, Butler, Sabonis, Westbrook).

Last time before that? 8,042 days ago, 2/25/99. (Chris Webber, Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson, Scottie Pippen).

Crazy.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 4, 2021

Congrats if you had T.J. McConnell in your fantasy lineup tonight (I did!), as you are likely winning the steals category for the week. 

Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports