Myles Turner Was Peaking… Until the NBA Finals. What Went Wrong?
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — As the Indiana Pacers have stormed through the 2025 NBA Playoffs, few players had a more impactful start than Myles Turner. Through the first three rounds, the 6’11” center was arguably playing the best basketball of his career — scoring efficiently, defending at an elite level, and stretching the floor with his outside shooting.
But once the bright lights of the NBA Finals switched on, something changed.
Turner, once one of the most reliable weapons in Indiana’s playoff arsenal, has seen a sharp decline in production. And with the Pacers just one win away from their first-ever NBA title, fans and analysts are asking the same question:
What happened to Myles Turner?
🔥 From Breakout to Breakdown: The Numbers Tell the Story
Let’s take a look at Turner’s production from the early rounds compared to the Finals:
Round 1 to Eastern Conference Finals
15.2 PPG
52% FG
40% from 3PT
Turner was a matchup nightmare — scoring inside, spacing the floor, and providing crucial rim protection. Against teams like Milwaukee and Boston, he repeatedly punished drop coverage and knocked down open looks.
NBA Finals (Through Game 6)
11.3 PPG
37% FG
20% from 3PT
Since the Finals tipped off, Turner’s rhythm has seemingly vanished. He’s struggling with efficiency, often fading from the offensive flow, and missing the clean looks he routinely hit earlier in the playoffs.
🛑 The Possible Explanations
Several factors could be contributing to Turner’s sudden slump:
1. Elite Defensive Pressure
The Oklahoma City Thunder have thrown athletic, switchable defenders at Turner, particularly Chet Holmgren, who has used his length to contest shots and force tough angles.
“Chet’s presence in the paint is underrated,” one scout said.
“He’s altered Turner’s timing and shot selection.”
2. Fewer Offensive Touches
With Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam carrying much of the scoring load, Turner has seen fewer plays run for him — especially in clutch moments.
This decreased involvement may be impacting his rhythm and confidence.
3. Fatigue and Physical Toll
Turner has logged heavy minutes during this deep playoff run — not just defending the rim but also battling through switches, defending in space, and banging inside with opposing bigs. Fatigue may be a factor, especially with the Finals’ intensity.
🧠 What the Pacers Are Saying
Despite the dip, Turner’s teammates and coaches remain confident in their veteran big man.
“Myles impacts the game in so many ways,” said coach Rick Carlisle after Game 6.
“Even if he’s not scoring, he’s rebounding, blocking shots, communicating on defense. We trust him.”
Haliburton echoed the sentiment:
“We don’t win those first two series without Myles. He’s earned this moment. We believe in him.”
⏳ Game 7: The Ultimate Redemption Opportunity
For Turner, Game 7 offers a chance to rewrite the narrative. One big game — a few key threes, a game-saving block, a double-double — could swing the Finals and reassert his value as a crucial piece of Indiana’s core.
And make no mistake: the Pacers will need every bit of him to overcome Oklahoma City’s length and defensive tenacity.
_“This is it,” Turner told reporters.
“One game to make history. I’m ready.”
📈 Final Word: More Than the Box Score
While the scoring numbers have dipped, Myles Turner’s impact on the Pacers’ Finals run shouldn’t be dismissed. He’s still anchoring the defense, providing spacing, and battling in the trenches.
But in a Game 7 — on the biggest stage — legacies are often defined by moments, not averages.
Turner has one more shot to create his.
