Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell had a historic night off the bench in the team’s 114-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 3.
McConnell recorded 16 points, 13 assists and 10 steals, the 11th triple-double with steals since steals became official in 1973-1974 and he’s the first to do so off the bench, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
He’s also the the first Pacers player with a triple-double off the bench since Detlaf Schrempf in February 1993.
McConnell’s triple-double with steals was the first in 23 years, since 1998, when Mookie Blaylock recorded 14 points, 11 assists and 10 steals for the Atlanta Hawks.
He also became the sixth player in NBA history to shoot 100 percent from the floor (8-of-8) and finish with a triple-double.
Despite McConnell joining the history books for various stats, he just missed tying the NBA record for steals in a game, which was 11 by Kendall Gill of the New Jersey Nets in 1999 and Larry Kenon of the San Antonio Spurs in 1976.
However, McConnell did set an NBA record with nine steals in the first half.
The 28-year-old is now the league leader in steals per game (2.0) and total steals (62).
