Myles Turner May Be The Key For Pacers Playoff Success Against Bucks

INDIANAPOLIS – On one side, there’s Giannis Antetookounmpo and Damian Lillard, the latter of whom is currently recovering from a blood clot and is on the mend. On the other side, Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam sit ready. When the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks meet in their first round series that tips off on Saturday, stars will be everywhere.

Yet the X-factor in the best-of-seven set might be Pacers center Myles Turner. The big man, who is in his 10th NBA season, is about to host a playoff series for the first time and may be the key to Indiana advancing to the Conference Semifinals.

The Texas product has become a consistent weapon for the blue and gold since signing a contract extension in 2023. His scoring has eclipsed 15 points per game in each of the last three seasons while his rebounding, block, and efficiency numbers have remained steady and solid. He found the right role on the offensive end without having to change his focuses.

That led to his best playoffs yet in 2024. As the Pacers marched to the Eastern Conference Finals, Turner averaged 17 points per game and was lights out from long range, shooting over 45% on his three-point shots. He stressed out opposing defenses, which was key as the blue and gold went on a deep run.

Why Myles Turner is the Pacers X-Factor against the Bucks

For Indiana to do it again, they need Turner to be at his best. “On both sides of the ball, he’s huge – Being able to pick, pop, make threes at a 40% clip,” Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith said of Turner. “I think he was second in the league in blocks this year. It’s huge what he does for us and the impact he has on the game.”

Turner actually finished third in both total blocks and blocks per game, but Nesmith’s point stands – stretch bigs who can defend are vital pieces of many strong postseason teams. The reigning champion Boston Celtics have one in Kristaps Porzingis. Before them, the likes of Brook Lopez (who the Pacers are about to see in this series) and Al Horford were key parts of Finals-bound rosters. Anthony Davis won a title as a center during his best-shooting playoff run while Nikola Jokic won his ring during what some consider his best defensive season.

Three-and-D skill sets aren’t required from a center for playoff success, but they are growing in importance. The New York Knicks traded for Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason while the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers have seen shooting growth (among other things) from Chet Holmgren and Evan Mobley, respectively – though they each play next to another big man. Isaiah Stewart and Wendell Carter Jr will have roles in the postseason.

The list goes on and on, and Turner is one of the better big men in the NBA when it comes to the combination of shooting and rim protection. He just wrapped up a full season during which he shot a career-high 39.6% from three-point range.

“I work really hard on my shot, work really hard on my mindset with it,” Turner said in March “I think post All-Star break, I’ve been shooting more freely, shooting a lot more than I have in the past.”

Milwaukee is a strong defensive team. They finished 12th in the league in defensive rating and improved on that end of the floor after a slow 2-8 start to the season. They have size and have some smart defenders in Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince, and Gary Trent Jr.

Lopez toggled between defending Turner and Siakam in last year’s Pacers vs Bucks series. This year, with Antetokounmpo back and headlining the differences in the best-of-seven set, it seems as if Lopez will start the series guarding Turner. While the Bucks veteran center is a talented rim protector, Turner has the skill set to limit his impact by being a pick-and-pop threat and pulling Lopez away from the rim.

“Stretch fives are very valuable in today’s game. That’s obvious,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said when discussing Turner. “Myles is special for a lot of reasons. His loyalty to the franchise is a big part of that. On the court, he does things that are unique for a seven-foot guy. He protects the rim and he makes threes, along with doing a lot of other important things. He’s a very important guy with our team.”

Of course, Turner taking – and making – open threes will be important in the series. Missing too many shots is problematic, and Turner made them in last year’s series as well as during the recently-concluded campaign.

But the spacing Turner provides is just as valuable. If he provides pressure on the Bucks defense just by existing beyond the arc – whether that is by pulling Lopez away from the basket or baiting more switches from Milwaukee’s group – then the Pacers will have more offensive success. If that advantage is neutralized, the Pacers will have a tougher time scoring.

“I think he spaces the floor a lot for us to drive the ball with his shooting ability. I think it’s pretty key,” Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard said of Turner. Those two are a masterful pairing on the defensive end. “I think it allows me, [Siakam], and [Haliburton] to make plays and have the space that we need to make those plays.”

Indiana was +54 with Turner on the floor against the Bucks in the playoffs last year. They were -37 when he sat. His importance is obvious, both because of the specific skills he brings to the table and because of the way his skills enhance his teammates. Milwaukee can’t ignore him.

If the 10-year veteran has a strong series, the Pacers will have a good chance to win. If he struggles, Indiana will have to alter their typical style to advance. Since the arrival of Siakam last season, Turner’s shot diet and effectiveness have climbed – and the Pacers can advance in the postseason if their starting center continues to be impactful.