Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told media after Game 3 that Myles Turner played through an illness that he had been dealing with for the prior few days. Despite the illness and the rough start to the game, Turner came up huge in the fourth quarter as he blocked Chet Holmgren three times in the final quarter alone and hit a big shot as the Pacers made their final push.
Myles Turner has blocked Chet Holmgren six times through three games of the NBA Finals. He blocked his shot four times last night.
9 times total in his career. One away from being a frequent flyer of the #MylesHighClub pic.twitter.com/LFDuCG6wIZ
— iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) June 12, 2025
“He may not even be with us tomorrow,” Rick Carlisle said after the game. “He just hasn’t been feeling well the last couple of days. It was affecting his wind. … I thought he did a great job of just taking a couple of deep breaths in and out in the third quarter and just doing a reset and coming back in there ready. That’s what a lot of this is. You have to be super resilient.”
After seeming to be a step slow on defense at times in the first half and then missing most of his open shots on the other end, the way he was able to stay with it and eventually bounce back in a big way was critical for the Pacers win. He finished with just 9 points on 3-of-11 shooting but he added 5 blocks and a steal as his impact on the defensive end was outstanding in the fourth quarter.
Hopefully, Turner’s immune system will be as resilient as his play over the next day so that’s ready to go at full capacity in Game 4. He was present for the Pacers film session as they prepared for the next game together but is absent for media availability as he tries to rest up and get over his illness.
“Hopefully, he’s feeling better but we’ll see,” Carlisle said.
Updates outside of Myles Turner, Jarace Walker is walking around without crutches though it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to play anytime soon. Still, progress there is encouraging for the second-year player.
Jarace Walker walking around without crutches. He’s still out tonight and going forward but making progress.
— Tony East (@TonyREast) June 12, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton offered an update on his “lower leg thing” that caused him to limp off the podium after Game 2, saying that he’s fine and that it’s nothing to worry about. Shams Charania reported that there is some soreness in his ankle but no one is concerned about his availability in the series. He certainly didn’t look hampered by anything as he put up 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds in the Game 3 win. He has not been listed on the injury report at any time during the series.
Reporting for ESPN NBA Countdown on Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton's "lower leg thing" ahead of Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder: pic.twitter.com/emaJf2jqSP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 11, 2025
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