Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell produced a rare points/assists/steals triple-double Wednesday night.
The professional pest had an NBA-record nine steals -- seemingly the hardest part of that feat -- in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Five players in NBA history have previously posted points/assists/steals triple-doubles -- Fat Lever in 1985, Alvin Robertson and Clyde Drexler in 1986, Kevin Johnson in 1993 and Mookie Blaylock in 1998. Overall, only 11 players have gotten a triple-double that involves steals since the NBA began tracking the stat in 1973-74.
© David Richard, USA TODAY SportsIndiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell steals the ball from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton late in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
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McConnell got double digits in points and assists in the third quarter. He got his franchise-record 10th swipe with just over a minute remaining.
McConnell finished with 16 points on 8-of-8 shooting from the field, 13 assists and 10 steals as the Pacers rallied from a 19-point deficit to win 114-111. He also had four rebounds and a blocked shot.
"I know what I can do defensively. I can get in the passing lanes. I can pressure people and that gets our team going," McConnell said postgame. "I just tried to do that tonight. We needed a spark."
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell gets rare triple-double that includes steals