Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell recently issued a defiant message to critics as the team braces for a challenging new season. In a candid interview, McConnell acknowledged the skepticism surrounding Indiana’s prospects—but made it clear that he expects nothing less than resilience, pushback, and a fight from the roster moving forward.

McConnell didn’t shy away from his frustrations with doubters. “I know we’re being written off now by everyone,” he said. He pointed to recurring narratives that the team is done: whether people cite early-season struggles, past playoff exits, or the loss of key contributors like Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton to injury or free agency. According to McConnell, these critiques are nothing new. “It’s the same stuff we’ve always dealt with in Indy,” he said. “But we’re actually not done.”

He went on to deliver what sounded like a rallying cry to fans and opponents alike: “I promise you: That feeling was real. And we’re going to work like hell to feel it again soon.”  The gravity of those words is heightened by the challenges the Pacers now face. The team lost their cornerstone point guard, Haliburton, to a season-ending Achilles injury suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.  Meanwhile, Turner, who had long been a defensive anchor and paint presence, signed a multi‑year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Despite the adversity, McConnell’s message suggests the roster may not only accept the underdog role, but lean into it. He embraced the idea that next season will be a proving ground—both collectively for the team and individually for players like himself. His tone left no room for excuses. He seems determined to be part of Indiana’s next chapter rather than a passive observer of its decline.

McConnell’s confidence is rooted in shared experience. He reminded fans and analysts that in recent seasons, reports of “the end” have surfaced far too often—and prematurely. He cited multiple instances in which the Pacers fell behind late in playoff series and were written off—but then found ways to respond. “They’re done,” he said, are the words he hears in the headlines and chatter, yet his message is that Indiana will continue fighting.

The message also offers insight into how McConnell views his own role. With roster upheaval coming and the loss of star power, he is positioning himself as a stabilizing force—a voice of continuity and grit. He’s saying, implicitly, that the fabric of Indiana’s identity is stronger than any single player’s departure or injury. That identity rests on resilience, togetherness, and a dogged refusal to concede.

Of course, rhetoric means little if it’s not backed up with performance. Indiana now faces a steep mountain. Without Haliburton, the offensive load will need to be redistributed. Without Turner, the paint presence must be replaced or compensated for in other ways. Young players, role players, and new additions will have to step up quickly. The front office will be under pressure to deliver reinforcements that align with what McConnell is demanding: fight, accountability, and belief.

If McConnell’s message galvanizes internal motivation, it may shape how the Pacers approach this season. It’s a challenge to teammates to match his intensity and resolve. It’s also a statement to the league that while Indiana might be discounted on paper, they are not conceding defeat mentally. They’re asking the world to recalibrate its expectations—not based on what the team has lost, but on how it chooses to respond.

For Pacers fans, McConnell’s stance marks an early point of clarity in what could be a transitional campaign. The loss of stars and key contributors creates uncertainty, but McConnell is pushing the narrative that Indiana is not collapsing under pressure—they’re forging a new road, and it will be with blood, sweat, and continued belief.

In many ways, that makes McConnell a torchbearer. What was once the voice of a supporting role is now stepping into leadership by necessity. That’s the message he’s sending to doubters: don’t sleep on Indiana—not when the fight is in their DNA.

If you like, I can also write previews of how each Pacers youngster or new signee might respond to McConnell’s challenge. Want me to dig into that?