Myles Turner was a cornerstone for the Indiana Pacers over 10 seasons, logging 642 regular-season games and 66 postseason appearances while helping the franchise push last year’s NBA Finals to seven games. Monday marks his first trip back to Indianapolis since joining the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $108.9 million contract in July. Milwaukee enters the matchup having just earned its first victory of the post-Turner stretch.
Sep 29, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) poses for a picture during Milwaukee Bucks Media Day at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The reigning Eastern Conference champions struggled out of the gate to an 0-5 start before finally snapping the skid with a 114-109 victory over Golden State on Saturday.
Indiana began the season hampered by injuries, with two-time All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton sidelined from the Achilles injury he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Since then, the Pacers have also lost guards Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard to further setbacks.
Myles Turner chooses the Bucks over the Pacers
Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) fight for the ball during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Turner recently appeared on Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s Thanalysis Show, where he discussed his decision to leave the Indiana Pacers for the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason. He explained that he was initially promised by the Pacers that they would take care of him once he became a free agent.
“Pascal was in a contract year. T.J. McConnell was in a contract year. Aaron Nesmith was in a contract year. I could go down the list, but you go through that, and we had a great run. Everybody got taken care of. Everybody got paid because we won,” said the newest member of the Bucks.
“Then, the next year, we surpassed what we did, we went to the Finals. And all everybody told me was, ‘Myles, just keep your head down. Keep your head down and work. You’re going to get taken care of.’”
Turner explained that Indiana’s front office shifted its plans after the team reached the NBA Finals. In the wake of Tyrese Haliburton’s injury, the Pacers opted to take a different path, parting ways with their long-time starting center.
“Then, the unfortunate situation happens in the Finals with Tyrese, and I guess the front office and ownership just changed their mind,” he continued.
Oct 9, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) gestures to a teammate in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The 29-year-old, a two-time NBA leader in blocked shots with the Pacers, has immediately become a key pillar of Milwaukee’s defense. Through six games with the Bucks, he is averaging 9.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and a team-high 1.8 blocks per contest.