T.J. McConnell droppped a points-assists-steals triple-double in which he went perfect from the field and nabbed 10 steals on Wednesday.
T.J. McConnell picked the Cleveland Cavaliers’ pockets on Wednesday, for the first time just 2:07 seconds after checking in midway through the first quarter.
By the time the second quarter came to a close, he’d set an NBA record, pilfering his ninth with 15.2 seconds remaining in the half. The previous record, eight, had been achieved 12 times since the league began recording steals in 1973-74.
T.J. McConnell sets an NBA RECORD with 9 steals in a half!
The record for a full game is 11. pic.twitter.com/O0ctYizMmc
— NBA (@NBA) March 4, 2021
McConnell picked off his 10th steal late in the fourth quarter, which — as noted by NBA.com’s John Schuhmann — sealed the first points-assists-steals triple-double in almost 23 years. Former Hawks guard Mookie Blaylock was the most recent of five players to do so, with his coming on April 14, 1998 against the Sixers: 14 points, 11 assists and 10 steals.
McConnell finished with 16 points, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, 13 assists and 10 steals. It was the 11th triple-double to include 10 steals and was the first by a player off the bench. He also pulled down two rebounds and logged a block.
“The guys showered me with water after the game, but I don’t remember much about it because it was so cold,” McConnell said, laughing. “It was not enjoyable, but it was enjoyable at the same time, if that makes any sense.”
Larry Kenon (Spurs; Dec. 26, 1976) and Kendall Gill (Nets; April 3, 1999) share the overall steals record with 11 in a game.
Points-Assists-Steals Triple Doubles
| PLAYER | DATE | MATCHUP | PTS | AST | STL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T.J. McConnell | 03/03/2021 | IND @ CLE | 16 | 13 | 10 |
| Mookie Blaylock | 04/14/1998 | ATL vs. PHI | 14 | 11 | 10 |
| Kevin Johnson | 12/09/1993 | PHX vs. WAS | 17 | 13 | 10 |
| Alvin Robertson | 02/18/1986 | SAN vs. PHX | 20 | 10 | 10 |
| Clyde Drexler | 01/10/1986 | POR @ MIL | 26 | 11 | 10 |
| Lafayette Lever | 03/09/1985 | DEN vs. IND | 13 | 15 | 10 |
*Since steals began being recorded in 1973-74
“McConnell earned it, he earned it tonight,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s a pest all the time. He’s super competitive all the time.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
