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Myles Turner will miss at least two games with an injured elbow

By Ben Gibson

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 26: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 26, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 26: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 26, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Myles Turner injured his elbow against the Milwaukee Bucks and will miss at least two games as he recovers.

Something had to go wrong for the Indiana Pacers after Monday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks went so right.

The bad news is Myles Turner will miss at least two games with an injured elbow according to the team’s PR staff. Domantas Sabonis will start in his place.

The injury came when he threw down a dunk in the first quarter on Monday. He looked fine and remained in the game, but obviously, something happened when he took out his frustration on the rim.

https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/950523055574519808

When asked about it on Monday, Turner had joked about how the injury had happened according to Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports.

"“It was a couple things, man,” Turner went on to explain postgame. “I smoked an easy ass dunk in transition last game. I had to make up for that one. And two, it’s coach’s fault. During shootaround today, he was like, ‘Ay man, you get that ball and you need to take off from the free throw line.’“I was like, ‘All right.’ So I tried and — yeah. Ahhh.” [Moans in pain.]"

After missing only one game last season, these will be Turner’s 8th and 9th games he’ll miss due to injury. The first seven were due to a concussion. Turner had some bad luck in his rookie season as well when he spent 21 games in street clothes after breaking his hand.

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It’s unfortunate as Myles and the rest of the Pacers were getting out of the funk that plagued them during their 5-game losing streak. Turner’s season hasn’t when as planned as injuries and poor play are the dominant storylines so far. His averages of 13.9 points and 6.5 rebounds are down slightly compared to last season.

If there is any bright side to the situation, it is that Sabonis gets more time to show us just how good he is. Sabonis averaged 12.9 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.3 assists In the 8 games he’s started in this season. He shoots better as a starter, too, with a 58.6% field goal percentage.

Now before you start calling for Sabonis to start full-time, consider what that actually would mean for the Pacers. Indiana may have gone 4-3 when Sabonis was starting, but you aren’t helping anyone’s psychology or trade value by whipping them in and out of the starting lineup on a whim.

Next: Shooting guard Tuesdays: The two guards have been clutch

Hopefully, Turner’s absence doesn’t extend beyond two games, but at least Sabonis is for that capable of taking over starting duties.

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