Myles Turner’s homecoming to Indiana took a bitter activate Monday night time, as the previous Pacers middle was met with loud boos from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd.
However his new workforce, the Milwaukee Bucks, had the ultimate say, securing a 117-115 win over the Pacers because of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game-winning jumper on the buzzer.
Because the shot fell, Antetokounmpo turned to the stands, giving followers a thumbs-down earlier than placing a finger to his lips to silence the sector.
Earlier than tipoff, Indiana performed a tribute video celebrating Turner’s decade-long tenure with the franchise. The video, nevertheless, was greeted by boos from the gang from the second it appeared on the scoreboard.
“It was disheartening, man. It was irritating,” Turner mentioned after the sport. “You give 10 years of your life, your blood, your sweat, your tears. You’re taking pay cuts. You survive commerce rumors. You attempt to do every part the precise approach, after which generally stuff shakes out. It’s cool. I take it on the chin.”
Assist from Milwaukee
Turner’s new teammates rallied behind him, decided to make the night time particular in his return.
“He won’t say it, nevertheless it sort of damage,” mentioned Antetokounmpo, who posted 33 factors, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. “However we’re right here to select him up, inform him how a lot we love him and respect him. We perceive how a lot he gave for the workforce, for Indiana, and the way a lot he’s prepared to present for Milwaukee.
“He’s an excellent, nice individual, nice character, an excellent competitor. I performed towards him for 10 years. I feel he gave every part.”
Leaning Into the Villain Position
Regardless of the destructive reception, Turner appeared to embrace his new standing as a rival. Because the tribute video performed, he mimed closing a e book and gave a sarcastic wave to the followers. As soon as the sport began, he turned the gang’s hostility into motivation.
“It woke me up,” mentioned Turner, who completed with 9 factors and 5 blocks. “If something, you must channel that power. That destructive power changed into a constructive. I do know what it’s each time I come again right here to Gainbridge.”
Turner opened robust with seven factors and 4 blocks within the first quarter, even gesturing towards the followers after sinking a three-pointer.
However the boos continued all through the night time, every contact of the ball drawing one other wave of disapproval.
The gang erupted when Turner dedicated errors, and at one level, the sector scoreboard displayed side-by-side stats evaluating Turner with Indiana’s new beginning middle Isaiah Jackson, who had 21 factors and 10 rebounds, outpacing Turner in each classes.
After the sport, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers expressed frustration with how Turner was handled by the house crowd.
“I used to be actually disenchanted tonight,” Rivers mentioned. “This man provides you 10 years. … I need to make one thing clear. Myles wasn’t seeking to depart. Myles was made obtainable. It’s an enormous distinction.”
A Sophisticated Cut up
Turner spent 10 seasons with Indiana earlier than becoming a member of Milwaukee as an unrestricted free agent over the summer season, signing a four-year, $107 million contract.
Earlier within the day, Turner mentioned he felt blindsided by the Pacers’ dealing with of his free company.
“Let’s speak about worth. Go the place you’re valued,” Turner mentioned Monday morning. “The entrance workplace and the possession valued me in Milwaukee greater than possession and entrance workplace valued me right here in Indiana.”
The Pacers, in the meantime, have maintained that they weren’t given the chance to match Milwaukee’s provide.
