TJ McConnell isn’t the tallest guy on the court, nor the flashiest. But on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, the Indiana Pacers guard made sure everyone in the front row knew his name, and his message.
Midway through the first quarter of Game 5 against the Knicks, McConnell drained a 3-pointer and turned the moment into his own personal statement, aiming it directly at the celebrity-laden courtside seats.
With 3:14 left in the first quarter and the Pacers trailing 25–18, McConnell pulled up from deep and nailed it. As he jogged back to play defense, he flexed in the direction of the A-list audience. Cameras caught the moment, and the Pacers’ X account quickly shared the image.
It didn’t take long for the internet to jump in.
Star-studded Reactions Courtside
The photo, now making the rounds across social media, captured McConnell gesturing toward a stunned row that included actor Miles Teller, his wife Keleigh, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Ben Stiller. Their faces told the whole story. Teller looked exasperated, Stiller stared back with a deadpan glare, and Jenner appeared caught off guard. Chalamet didn’t even seem to notice.
McConnell didn’t say anything, but his body language made the message clear- the noise and the stars weren’t going to shake him. The moment was brief, but it added a spark to a game full of energy and narrative. Despite McConnell’s bold move, the Knicks controlled most of Game 5, keeping the lead and momentum at home in front of their high-profile supporters.
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This photo is cold 🥶
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 30, 2025
T.J. McConnell taunted all of Knicks celeb row at once 😭 (via @Pacers) pic.twitter.com/N3fWFerfOP
Elsewhere in the crowd, longtime Knicks fan Spike Lee held his usual spot courtside alongside comedian Tracy Morgan. Gayle King, Michael Strahan, and “Law & Order: SVU” stars Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish also showed up for the showdown. The Garden buzzed with familiar faces, including Shaboozey, “Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli, and “Euphoria” actress Maude Apatow.
The moment even challenged local sports talk assumptions. Earlier Thursday, WFAN’s Boomer Esiason claimed the Knicks played better on the road because they “hate” playing in front of celebrity fans. McConnell’s gesture and the team’s fight flipped that theory, at least for one night.
MSG was loud, flashy, and full of stars. T.J. McConnell didn’t flinch. He looked right at them, cashed in a three, and let the crowd know he showed up too.
Also Read: Josh Hart’s Bizarre Praise for “Annoying Little Sh**” TJ McConnell Goes Viral
