The Pacers have chosen T.J. McConnell as their representative for the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, after Tyrese Haliburton declined the role due to past bad luck. The lottery results will be announced on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Key points
T.J. McConnell will represent the Pacers at the NBA Draft Lottery
Tyrese Haliburton declined the opportunity due to past bad luck
The Pacers had the second worst record in the NBA this season
McConnell averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 assists per game
The lottery results will be announced on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET
Mentioned in this story
Chicago
PacersTyrese HaliburtonT.J. McConnell
The Pacers have picked their representative at NBA Draft Lottery; do you feel lucky?
INDIANAPOLIS -- Tyrese Haliburton turned down the opportunity to be the Pacers' on-stage representative at the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago on Sunday because the All-Star point guard felt like he was bad luck the last time he had the job. The Pacers are simply sending another point guard.
Veteran point guard T.J. McConnell will be the Pacers' on-stage representative in Chicago when the lottery results are announced at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPN. The 34-year-old McConnell just finished his 11th season in the NBA and his seventh season with the Pacers. Though Indiana finished the season with the NBA's second worst record and the worst record in franchise history at 19-63, McConnell had one of the most productive seasons of his career averaging 9.4 points and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 53.8% from the floor. He averaged a career-low 17.2 minutes per game as the Pacers took it easy on his sore hamstrings in a lost season, but his 10.7 assists per 36 minutes led the team and his 19.6 points per 36 minutes were second only to All-Star forward Pascal Siakam among players who appeared in at least 30 games with the Pacers.
Wayman Tisdale with the Indiana Pacers in 1988.
Q&A
Why did Tyrese Haliburton decline to represent the Pacers at the NBA Draft Lottery?
Tyrese Haliburton declined because he felt he was bad luck the last time he had the job.
Who will represent the Pacers at the NBA Draft Lottery?
T.J. McConnell will be the Pacers' on-stage representative at the NBA Draft Lottery.
What time is the NBA Draft Lottery announcement for the Pacers?
The NBA Draft Lottery results will be announced at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.
What was T.J. McConnell's performance like this past season?
T.J. McConnell averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 53.8%.
Related Articles
Sports·Transfer
Papers: Man Utd ready to spend £150m on three midfielders this summer
Manchester United plans to invest £150m in three midfielders this summer.
Sky Sports··1 min read
Soccer
Carra: If Arsenal beat West Ham, they win the Premier League
Arsenal can clinch the Premier League title if they beat West Ham, says Carragher.
Sky Sports··1 min read
Sports
Sheriff's deputy, umpire arrested after brawl at kids' baseball tournament in Mississippi
Brawl at kids' baseball tournament leads to arrests of deputy and umpire in Mississippi.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Bellingham, más vale tarde
Jude Bellingham continúa su crecimiento en el Real Madrid tras un año complicado.
Marca··1 min read
NFL·Preview
Detroit Lions projected to have easiest 2026 NFL schedule
Detroit Lions projected to face the easiest schedule in the NFL for 2026, raising hopes for a bounce-back season.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB
Braves reportedly cut $18M Gold Glove World Series champion to clear Sean Murphy roster spot
Braves release $18M Gold Glove champion to make room for Sean Murphy
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
10-02-97///Pacers center Rik Smits was all smiles as he joked with reporters on media day at Market Square Arena.
George McCloud, the number one draft pick of the Pacers in 1989 sits at a table with team general manager Donnie Walsh.
Austin Croshere parlayed his play in the Finals into big money.
Feb 3, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jerryd Bayless (0) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) defends in the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots during the scrimmage portion of Pacers FanJam on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte (3) stands during a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of a game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) walks up the court Tuesday, April 7, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
1 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
Wayman Tisdale with the Indiana Pacers in 1988.
1 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
Wayman Tisdale with the Indiana Pacers in 1988.
2 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
10-02-97///Pacers center Rik Smits was all smiles as he joked with reporters on media day at Market Square Arena.
3 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
George McCloud, the number one draft pick of the Pacers in 1989 sits at a table with team general manager Donnie Walsh.
4 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
Austin Croshere parlayed his play in the Finals into big money.
5 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
Feb 3, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jerryd Bayless (0) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) defends in the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
6 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots during the scrimmage portion of Pacers FanJam on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
7 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte (3) stands during a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
8 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of a game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
9 / 9
See every Indiana Pacers lottery pick from Wayman Tisdale to Jarace Walker
Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) walks up the court Tuesday, April 7, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
With a bottom-three record, the Pacers have the best possible lottery odds -- a 14% chance to earn the No. 1 overall pick and a 52.1% chance to earn a top four pick. However, they conditionally included the pick in the trade with the Clippers that brought center Ivica Zubac to Indiana. They only get to keep the pick if it lands in the top four. If it does not, the Clippers get the pick.
If the Pacers do get to keep the selection, they would be picking in the top four for the first time since they took Rik Smits with the No. 2 pick in 1988. They also chose center Steve Stipanovich with the No. 2 pick in 1983 and forward Wayman Tisdale with the No. 2 pick in 1985. They took Rick Robey No. 3 in 1978 and Chuck Person No. 4 in 1986, but they have never had the No. 1 selection since joining the NBA.
