Myles Turner won't play in Pacers' opener after tweaking ankle during individual warmups
Myles Turner won't play in Pacers' opener after tweaking ankle during individual warmups
Turner suffered an ankle sprain during on-court skill work two hours before tip-off. Terry Taylor starts in his place.
Myles Turner’s return to the basketball court will have to wait.
The Pacers’ starting center won’t play Wednesday night in the season opener against the Washington Wizards after suffering a left ankle sprain.
It happened at the north basket inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse during individual warmups around 5:00 p.m. ET. He tweaked the ankle and then ran into the tunnel. He came back frustrated and headed straight back to the locker room.
He did not return to the court to resume his usual pre-game workout with assistant coach Lloyd Pierce.
Head coach Rick Carlisle was unaware of the freak accident during his pre-game availability about 15 minutes later. After the game, a 114-107 loss, he said it’s not a severe ankle sprain.
Turner had been 100% healthy in camp and looking forward to returning to game action. His last regular-season game played was on Jan. 14. That was nine months ago.
Turner, who is 26 and in the final year of his contract, was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left foot and did not play in a game the rest of the season. So he has not yet appeared in a meaningful game with Tyrese Haliburton and his start to the season is delayed due to this unlucky injury.
“It’s exciting to be back out there playing,” Turner said on Tuesday after their final practice before playing the Wizards. “Personally, that’s just a big thing for me.”
Terry Taylor will start in his place.
So the first starting lineup of the season will be Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Buddy Hield, Jalen Smith and Taylor.
Aaron Nesmith (sore left foot) is available. Daniel Theis (left knee soreness) remains out.
