In the aftermath of a heartbreaking defeat in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the ESPN cameras got too close to one player letting their emotions out with his mother.
The Indiana Pacers’ hopes at their first ever NBA title essentially ended the moment Tyrese Haliburton suffered a gruesome Achilles injury in the first quarter.
From there, the Thunder dominated the second half to win 103-91 to claim their second title in franchise history and the first since moving from Seattle.
As the confetti fell from the roof of the Paycom Center, Pacers guard TJ McConnell draped a towel over his shoulders and began walking down the tunnel while crying.
Greeting him in the tunnel was his mother, Shelly, who wrapped her arm around her son.
As she turned to fully embrace him, she noticed that an ESPN camera had been following them at close proximity the entire time. Shelly then waved her hand at the camera and said ‘Stop, Stop’ before the broadcast cut away.
The mother of Indiana Pacers star TJ McConnell shooed away cameras as he cried on Sunday
Haliburton had shot 3-for-5 from the floor – with all 3 makes from 3-point range – in the seven minutes of game time he had before collapsing on the court in pain.
He was eventually helped off the court and down the tunnel before his father, John, confirmed Tyrese had suffered an Achilles injury.
After the Pacers lost, Haliburton was seen on crutches in the tunnel, waiting to embrace and support his teammates who put together a valiant effort in the loss.
McConnell put up an honorable 16 points on a strong 8-of-13 shooting line – while also adding six rebounds and three assists.
McConnell had an honorable 16 points in the Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, leaving the Pacers still titleless after an injury to Tyrese Haliburton stunted their momentum
Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers and was named Finals MVP
A fellow bench guard, Bennedict Mathurin, led the team with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Pascal Siakam (16 points) and Andrew Nembhard (15 points, five rebounds, six assists) also had notable performances.
But in the end, the league’s best team – Oklahoma City – took advantage of the under-manned Pacers with a monstrous third-quarter performance.
Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds to lead OKC to its first title since leaving Seattle in 2007.
Jalen Williams (20 points), Chet Holmgren (18 points), Alex Caruso (10 points), and Cason Wallace (10 points) all also had double-digit scoring marks on the night.
