The Philadelphia 76ers had a disappointing 2025 season, finishing with a 24-58 record due to injuries, notably limiting Joel Embiid to just 19 games. The star trio of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey played together in only 18 games, finishing 15. With the Sixers out of the playoffs, attention turns to former players performing in the postseason.

TJ McConnell, who began his career with the Sixers, made an impactful start for the Indiana Pacers as they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 117-95 in Game 1 of their series. McConnell contributed 11 points and five assists, playing a key role off the bench while Indiana led by as many as 28 points. He has become a significant player for the Pacers since leaving Philadelphia and was instrumental during their 2024 Eastern Conference finals run.

T.J. McConnell reminded everyone of his shooting capabilities with a surprising 3-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers. Not one to be viewed as a long-range threat, McConnell's 3 from the left wing in the first quarter took Luka Doncic by surprise, leading to a playful pat on Doncic's backside as he jogged back down the court. This moment not only highlighted McConnell's confidence but also showcased his potential impact, as he had been shooting at just 31.1% from beyond the arc this season.

Meanwhile, Doncic continued his efficient shooting, going 3-of-4 from 3-point range in the quarter. The playful exchange between the two players added a light-hearted moment to the otherwise intense competition of the game, with McConnell proving that he can be a threat when least expected.

The Indiana Pacers have a significant edge in the NBA, thanks to their remarkable bench depth. This depth was a driving factor in their journey to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, where they boasted the league's highest-scoring bench. Although they’re currently ranked ninth in bench scoring, their effectiveness remains intact, primarily due to contributions from T.J. McConnell, a linchpin of the second unit.

McConnell, recently re-signed for four years at $44.8 million, has maintained a solid performance, averaging 9.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game. His absence due to an ankle sprain has raised concerns, as the Pacers appear less effective without him. Andrew Nembhard has struggled to fill the void, forcing Tyrese Haliburton into heavier minutes. The Pacers' fortunes hinge on McConnell's health as they aim for a deep playoff run.

The Dallas Mavericks are enduring a challenging 2024-25 season with numerous injuries affecting their roster. The team has confirmed that forward Maxi Kleber underwent surgery to address a right foot fracture sustained during a game against the Boston Celtics on January 25. This injury marks yet another setback for Kleber, who has been a frequent name on the Mavericks' injury report over the last two seasons. In fact, he has played only 54% of available games since the 2022-23 season, missing 98 of 212 regular season contests.

Despite his previous contributions, this year Kleber averaged just 3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, significantly lower than his breakout performance in the 2019-20 season, where he posted averages of 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds. Currently, he is in the second year of a three-year, $33 million contract with the Mavericks, leaving fans wondering about the impact of his absence on the team's hopes for the season.

In a challenging game for the Minnesota Timberwolves, they faced off against the Phoenix Suns without key players Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid. Despite these setbacks, Nickeil Alexander-Walker stepped up, scoring a career-high 23 points and contributing significantly to the team's victory. This performance highlights the importance of depth as the Timberwolves strive to improve their standing in the Western Conference.

The night also showcased other notable performances across the league, with Malik Beasley, Ty Jerome, and T.J. McConnell making strong contributions for their respective teams. Beasley continued his scoring streak for the Detroit Pistons, Jerome filled the gap for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and McConnell proved to be a valuable asset for the Pacers.