Latest news with #KarenAtkeson
Fox News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Pacers staff confronts ESPN camera capturing emotional TJ McConnell after NBA Finals loss to Thunder
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. 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. 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 McConnell. McConnell was also spotted sharing a hug with Pacers great Reggie Miller, who was in the Paycom Center supporting his former team in Game 7. Miller, in the back hallways leading to the locker room, consoled McConnell, who remained emotional after the game. The Pacers and Thunder were trading blows on the offensive end once the game began, but Haliburton's Achilles injury put a damper on what could have been a fantastic end for him after hitting all but one of his four three-point attempts in the first quarter. McConnell and the other Pacers were tasked with picking up the slack, and though the 10-year veteran did his part, Indiana had trouble with turnovers and the Thunder capitalized. McConnell completed his sixth NBA season with the Pacers after beginning his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. In this year's playoffs, he averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds over 23 games, while shooting 53.7% from the field. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pacers staffer tells ESPN to stop filming an emotional T.J. McConnell after Game 7 loss in NBA Finals
The Indiana Pacers fought hard after losing Tyrese Haliburton to injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. While the whole team deserves credit for trying to push through after losing Haliburton, T.J. McConnell had to handle the biggest load. McConnell was forced into a much larger role following Haliburton's injury. McConnell delivered an admirable performance, dropping 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in the 103-91 loss. Advertisement Following the contest, McConnell was among the most emotional players on the Pacers. He walked off the court with a towel over his head, clearly struck by the loss. The entire scene was captured by ESPN, which followed McConnell into the tunnel. Once there, McConnell was comforted by a Pacers staffer, who told the ESPN camera operator to stop filming the guard. That staffer appears to be Karen Atkeson, the director of promotions for the Pacers. As cameras got too close to Atkeson and McConnell, Atkeson can be heard on the broadcast telling them to "stop." Atkeson is a long-time member of the Pacers, and has been with the team since 1997. Advertisement It was a difficult night for McConnell, who was forced into action following Haliburton's injury. While McConnell saw playing time throughout the playoffs, the Pacers leaned on him for 28:06 in Game 7. That was the most playing time McConnell received during the team's playoff run. McConnell put up strong numbers in the loss, but was also responsible for a team-leading seven turnovers. Those proved to be costly. The Thunder's surge in the third quarter was largely the result of Pacers turnovers. Oklahoma City outscored the Pacers by 14 points in the quarter, essentially putting away the game thanks to giveaways by Indiana. That likely made the loss hit even harder for McConnell, who is still seeking his first NBA championship. The veteran should have another opportunity at contention over the next couple seasons, as he signed an extension with the Pacers in 2024 that will keep him with the team through the 2027-28 NBA season. Despite the Haliburton injury, the Pacers are still considered strong contenders to win the 2025-26 NBA Finals.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pacers staffer tells ESPN to stop filming an emotional T.J. McConnell after Game 7 loss in NBA Finals
The Indiana Pacers fought hard after losing Tyrese Haliburton to injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. While the whole team deserves credit for trying to push through after losing Haliburton, T.J. McConnell had to handle the biggest load. McConnell was forced into a much larger role following Haliburton's injury. McConnell delivered an admirable performance, dropping 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in the 103-91 loss. Advertisement Following the contest, McConnell was among the most emotional players on the Pacers. He walked off the court with a towel over his head, clearly struck by the loss. The entire scene was captured by ESPN, which followed McConnell into the tunnel. Once there, McConnell was comforted by a Pacers staffer, who told the ESPN camera operator to stop filming the guard. That staffer appears to be Karen Atkeson, the director of promotions for the Pacers. As cameras got too close to Atkeson and McConnell, Atkeson can be heard telling them to "stop" on the broadcast. Atkeson is a long-time member of the Pacers, and has been with the team since 1997. Advertisement It was a difficult night for McConnell, who was forced into action following Haliburton's injury. While McConnell saw playing time throughout the playoffs, the Pacers leaned on him for 28:06 in Game 7. That was the most playing time McConnell received during the team's playoff run. McConnell put up strong numbers in the loss, but was also responsible for a team-leading seven turnovers. Those proved to be costly. The Thunder's surge in the third quarter was largely the result of Pacers turnovers. Oklahoma City outscored the Pacers by 14 points in the quarter, essentially putting away the game thanks to giveaways by Indiana. That likely made the loss hit even harder for McConnell, who is still seeking his first NBA championship. The veteran should have another opportunity at contention over the next couple seasons, as he signed an extension with the Pacers in 2024 that will keep him with the team through the 2027-28 NBA season. Despite the Haliburton injury, the Pacers are still considered strong contenders to win the 2025-26 NBA Finals.
