Latest news with #MylesTurner
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pacers rumors: Myles Turner close to contract extension amid NBA Finals run
The post Pacers rumors: Myles Turner close to contract extension amid NBA Finals run appeared first on ClutchPoints. As fans make predictions around the Indiana Pacers reaching the NBA Finals to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, some analysts are looking to the near future in how the team will approach the offseason. With some theorizing whether the Pacers will cheap out on the roster, one player who's an interesting part of this is star Myles Turner. Advertisement While Turner is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the latest report from Matt Moore via his blog at Hardwood Paroxysm suggests that both sides are close to a contract extension. However, Moore would question what that means for the rest of the unit besides the star players. 'I was really curious what the Pacers were going to do given that they couldn't clear salary for Myles Turner's extension at the deadline,' Moore said. 'But it sounds like, regardless, he's not going anywhere. Word is that the two sides are already close on an extension that will keep him with Indiana. What that means for the rest of the Pacers' supporting cast is another question.' Turner has been with Indiana since he was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, where since then, he's been a foundational piece, especially in this current run along Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. How the Pacers are approaching Myles Turner and the offseason Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images While it was always unlikely for the Pacers to move on from Turner, it was still a conversation that was being talked about among the basketball world, even the possible teams that could be fits. This past season, Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, two blocks, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from deep. Advertisement With the report of Indiana and Turner close to a contract extension, it does track due to what Brian Windhorst of ESPN said on 'The Hoop Collective' show that the team is giving the 'green light' for them to be in the tax. 'From what I am told, the hope and belief and whatever is that ownership will green light them going a little bit into the tax for a little while,' Windhorst said. At any rate, Turner and the Pacers share the same No. 1 focus at the current moment, which is to win the franchise's first NBA championship. Game 1 of the NBA Finals for Indiana against the Oklahoma City Thunder will be on Thursday night.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Myles Turner reaches Dwight Howard territory amid playoff block party
The post Myles Turner reaches Dwight Howard territory amid playoff block party appeared first on ClutchPoints. For every player on the Pacers roster, there is perhaps nobody who is savoring this run in the playoffs than Myles Turner. The longest tenured player on the team, Turner has had his name thrown in trade rumors almost every season before signing a contract extension back during the 2022-23 season. Myles Turner certainly has been a major part of this Pacers run in the playoffs, especially on the defensive end in terms of blocks. Advertisement With two blocks through three quarters against the Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Myles Turner became only the second Eastern Conference player since Dwight Howard to record more than 45 blocked shots during a playoff run, as per StatMuse. In addition to his two blocked shots, Turner also had three points, four rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes. He was not shooting particularly well as of publication, only going 1-of-9 from the field, but he was still making an impact on the defensive end of the court. If the Pacers ultimately want to beat the Thunder and win an NBA championship, they'll need continued strong play from their veteran center. During this postseason run, Turner has been playing a little over 29 minutes per game while taking around ten shots attempts. In 21 games, he has been averaging 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.1 blocked shots with splits of 50 percent shooting from the field, 35.7 percent shooting from the three-point line and 80 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Advertisement In a funny twist of fate, Turner's future with the Pacers, regardless of the outcome of the NBA Finals, was somewhat in question again as he is set to hit unrestricted free agency in the offseason, But while a player of his caliber will no doubt draw interest from opposing teams, Turner and the Pacers are reportedly set for a contract extension, and he isn't expected to leave the only franchise he's ever known. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Turner has played all ten of his NBA seasons with the Pacers. Related: Thunder's Chet Holmgren makes promise after 4-point night in Game 6 vs. Pacers Related: Mark Daigneault's immediate admission about Thunder's Game 6 debacle
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inside the numbers: Pacers, Thunder set to play Game 7 for NBA title on Sunday night
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Maddie Meyer/Pool Photo via AP) OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — For the 20th time, there will be a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. Indiana will play at Oklahoma City on Sunday night in the final game of the season, with the winner getting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Advertisement Home teams are 15-4 in Game 7 of the finals, but a road team — Cleveland, over Golden State — won the most recent of those games in 2016. A look inside some numbers surrounding this matchup: Odds are, nobody's scoring 40 There have been only two 40-point scoring performances in Game 7 of the NBA Finals — and both came in losing efforts. Jerry West scored 42 points in Game 7 of the 1969 series, but the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in Bill Russell's final game. And Elgin Baylor scored 41 points in Game 7 in 1962 — another Lakers-Celtics matchup — but Boston prevailed in that one as well. Advertisement Bob Pettit had the third-highest scoring total in a Game 7. He had 39 for the St. Louis Hawks against the Celtics in 1957 ... and Boston won that game as well. The highest-scoring Game 7s in a winning effort? Those would be by Boston's Tom Heinsohn in that 1957 game against St. Louis and Miami's LeBron James in the 2013 series against San Antonio. Both had 37; Heinsohn's was a double-overtime game, James got his in regulation. And no team might break 100, either Yes, these are high-scoring teams. Oklahoma City was No. 4 in points per game in the regular season (120.5 per game) and Indiana was No. 7 (117.4). The Thunder are second in that category in the playoffs (115.2), just ahead of No. 3 Indiana (115.1). Advertisement In Game 7, that might not matter much. No team has reached 100 points in Game 7 of the NBA Finals since 1988. Or even topped 95 points, for that matter. The last five Game 7s: — 2016, Cleveland 93, Golden State 89 — 2013, Miami 95, San Antonio 88 — 2010, Los Angeles Lakers 83, Boston 79 — 2005, San Antonio 81, Detroit 74 — 1994, Houston 90, New York 84 The last finals Game 7 to see someone hit the century mark was when the Lakers beat the Pistons 108-105 in 1988. Expect a close one The average margin of victory in Game 7 of an NBA Finals: 6.9 points. Each of the last eight such games have been decided by single digits. Only four have been double-digit wins: Boston over St. Louis by 19 in 1960, Minneapolis over New York by 17 in 1952, Boston over Milwaukee by 15 in 1974 and New York over the Los Angeles Lakers by 14 in 1970. Advertisement The closest Game 7 in the finals was Syracuse beating Fort Wayne 92-91 in 1955. That was one of six finals Game 7s decided by three points or less. By seed The Thunder are the 22nd No. 1 seed to play in Game 7 of an NBA Finals. Their 21 predecessors on that list are 12-9 in the ultimate game; seven of those games have been ones where both teams entered the playoffs as No. 1 seeds. The Pacers are the fourth No. 4 seed to make Game 7 of the title round. Their three predecessors went 1-2 (Boston beat the Lakers in 1969, Seattle lost to Washington in 1978 and the Celtics lost to the Lakers in 2010). Game 7 experience Advertisement It'll be the fourth Game 7 for Indiana forwards Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. Siakam's teams have gone 2-1 in Game 7s, Turner's have gone 1-2. Indiana's Aaron Nesmith is 2-0 in the pair of Game 7s in which he has played, with Indiana winning at New York last year and Boston beating Milwaukee in 2022. Both of those wins were in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's reigning MVP, has averaged 27 points in two previous Game 7s. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton scored 26 points in his lone Game 7 to this point. No player on either side has previously been part of a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. Advertisement New for some refs, too The NBA doesn't announce referee assignments until game day, so it won't be known until Sunday morning who the three-person crew is for Game 7. This much is certain: for at least two of the referees, it'll be the first time on the Game 7 finals stage. Scott Foster — who would seem a likely pick this year — worked Game 7 of the finals in 2013 alongside Dan Crawford and Monty McCutchen, and Game 7 of the title series in 2010 with Dan Crawford and Joe Crawford. The most recent Game 7 of the finals was in 2016 and the crew for that game was Dan Crawford, McCutchen and Mike Callahan. Outside of Foster, no referee in this year's pool has been on the floor for a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. ___ AP NBA:
New York Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
T.J. McConnell brings the energy for the Pacers, who need him more than ever
INDIANAPOLIS — When T.J. McConnell checked in for the first time, as the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd bellowed upon hearing his name, he bent over and put both hands on the hardwood. It's a ritual replete with symbolism. The NBA's poster child of scrappiness starts by putting his hands to the proverbial plow, his fingers in the dirt. Becoming one with the hardwood onto which he's about to pour himself. With 5:50 left in the first quarter, and the Indiana Pacers up by two over the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was time for McConnell to work. He clocked in with his hands. Advertisement Thursday's Game 6 of the NBA Finals would require a certain energy. With the hosts facing elimination, desperation was in order. Urgency in every movement. All gas and no brakes for the opponent. This moment was made for McConnell. 'He's had to fight and claw and scrap for everything he's gotten in this league,' said Myles Turner, who has played five seasons with McConnell. 'For someone who was undrafted, for someone who was constantly (over)looked. … I know how bad he wants this.' McConnell finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals in 24 minutes of Indiana's 108-91 Game 6 romp of OKC. But the numbers don't do him justice. They don't convey his energy. They don't illustrate his influence on the tempo, the aggressiveness, the possibility of his team. He is the only player in NBA Finals history to surpass 60 points, 25 assists, 15 rebounds and 10 steals off the bench. It's uncanny how he gets where he wants on the court, squeezing between crevices on his drives, weaving in and out of the lane, the defense chasing him like the ghosts chase Pac-Man. It's befuddling how that pull-up jump shot of his, his form looking like he's putting something in a box on the shelf, can feel so automatic even though he's fading away and shooting over much bigger players. How he emerges from the trees with rebounds and seems to always have a jump on loose balls. It's every bit a phenomenon. A backup guard leading with intangibles. Indeed, McConnell invites every cliché possible. He for sure fits the mold of the overachieving, unathletic white player. He is but 6-foot-1, 190 pounds. He is heady. He is humble. He does play the right way. For the love of Hoosiers. But don't patronize McConnell by limiting him to such tropes. He's worthy of any game, any style, any era. The guy can play. Full stop. He's a true hooper. A gamer in every sense. He's respected in every corner of the sport. Because hustle doesn't have a demographic. Unwavering confidence is a universal basketball language. And the desire to win, a hunger so strong it's palpable, garners respect everywhere. Advertisement He is undersized, yet his impact is huge. He isn't explosive by any means, but he's gone off when the Pacers needed it most. He doesn't have 'a bag,' as the modern hoop litmus test prefers, but he's still carried Indiana at critical junctures. The Pacers are, almost magically, a win from the franchise's first championship since its ABA days. It doesn't happen without McConnell, whose game seems to elevate with the stakes. 'It's no surprise what T.J. does out there,' Obi Toppin, one of McConnell's running mates off the bench, said after scoring 20 points. McConnell assisted on all four of Toppin's 3s. 'Any time he comes into the game, the crowd loves him, and he feeds off of that. He had a great start to the game, and it got us going. Brought juice into the game, energy into the game.' Tyrese Haliburton, the face of the franchise, the Pacers' star point guard, valiantly battled through a strained calf, risking further injury to offer a fraction of himself as a sacrifice. He grinded on defense. He made some shots. He dropped some dimes. Indiana couldn't afford to get nothing from its star again, not with its season on the brink, and he delivered. But the Pacers didn't need the full measure of Haliburton because of whom he calls their 'Great White Hope.' In Game 5, when Haliburton strained his calf and was rendered ineffective, McConnell provided the spark. He scored 18 points in 21 minutes. The Pacers might've cost themselves Game 5 by sitting McConnell too long. But they are still alive, their title hopes boosted by their convincing Game 6 win as they head to a Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday. And McConnell's fingerprints were all over the floor. 'Well,' McConnell explained, 'we were going home if we didn't come out and give everything we have and leave it all out on the floor. We have another opportunity to do that on Sunday.' Advertisement Not even a minute into his first stint, he intercepted an outlet pass and found Toppin for a 3-pointer. On a loose ball in the second quarter, Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein dove to the floor to secure it. Pacers big man Tony Bradley was right next to Hartenstein and didn't hit the floor. But McConnell hustled over and lunged for the ball, on the hardwood, snatching it before Hartenstein could and starting the transition. Indiana led 28-25 to start the second quarter. McConnell went to work. A driving layup. Then his patented fade-away in the lane. Another bucket in the lane moments later. The Thunder just didn't know what to do with him. 'To play to the last day possible of the season, Game 7,' McConnell said, 'you dream about that as a kid. So I know we have to be ready for the challenge.' Game 7s can be ugly. Battles of attrition after a long, grueling season. A test of stamina. A measurement of heart. But that's even more in the realm of McConnell. The gear required for this expected setting is the only gear he knows. He's already beloved in basketball-crazed Indiana. He's become a popular figure among basketball enthusiasts. He's highly regarded among his peers. But if Indiana wins, and McConnell once again imposes himself onto the game with the strength of his will, he'll become an iconic underdog. The king of overachievers. And the swelling warmth in his father's heart. 'I'm going to OKC for my son,' McConnell's father, Tim, said on the ESPN set. 'To play in the championship game. To win the world championship.' (Photo of T.J. McConnell and Aaron Wiggins: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
Indianapolis Star
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Myles Turner discusses the Pacers' Game 6 win over the Thunder
Myles Turner had three points, four rebounds and two blocks in the Pacers' 108-91 win over the Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
