Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell played well in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In 21 minutes, McConnell put up 18 points, four rebounds and four assists while shooting 8-of-14 from the field and 1-of-2 from 3.
The 33-year-old McConnell scored 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter, helping the Pacers erase a double-digit lead.
However, McConnell's heroics weren't enough, as OKC beat Indiana by 11 points to take a 3-2 lead in the series.
During the third quarter of Game 5, McConnell was at the free-throw line, hunched over with his eyes looking up. He kind of looked like how LeBron James looked in Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.
James had 45 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in Game 6 of the 2012 ECF. It's considered one of the best postseason performances of all time, which is why McConnell thinks it's "asinine" for people to compare him to James.
As McConnell pointed out, James and the Heat won Game 6 of the ECF against the Celtics in Boston.
Miami went on to win the championship that year, with James winning his first title and first Finals MVP.
McConnell and the Pacers need to win Games 6 and 7 to capture this year's NBA Finals. Game 6 is on Thursday, back in Indiana.
The Pacers lost Game 4 at home, so they will likely be motivated to win Game 6 in front of their fans.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James
T.J. McConnell doesn't want to be compared to LeBron James.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
McConnell is averaging 11.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.0 steals in the NBA Finals.
The former Philadelphia 76ers guard is shooting 54.8% overall, 60.0% from beyond the arc and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line.