Indiana Pacers backup point guard T.J. McConnell received quite the early birthday gift on Monday. Not only did the Pacers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-103 at the Gainfield Bridgehouse, but the victory also provided McConnell with another reason to celebrate.

That eight-game winning streak now feels like decades ago. The team Minnesota has been over the past week looks nothing like a crew that could reel off so many wins in succession, or contend for

Toppin had a season-high 34 points and 10 rebounds in the victory, going 12-for-19 from the field and 7-for-10 from 3-point range. Mathurin had 22 points before fouling out and McConnell recorded a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 13 assists.