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Myles Turner’s injury is another setback in a disappointing season

By Ben Gibson

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 03: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on January 3, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 03: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on January 3, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The Indiana Pacers just passed the season’s halfway point, but now Myles Turner is now listed as “week to week” on the injury report.

There’s always something cold and clinical about press releases, much less when injuries are the subject. The Indiana Pacers let us know that Myles Turner is now listed as “week to week” on the injury report after hurting his elbow during a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

"Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner has been diagnosed with a ligament sprain and muscle strain in his right elbow. Turner sustained the injury in the Jan. 8 game vs. Milwaukee. He will not require surgery.He is currently outfitted with a brace for the elbow. He will miss the four remaining games of the current west coast trip and depending on how quickly the injury heals, he will be listed as week to week."

Turner was originally listed as out for two games, but once we saw wearing an elbow brace, it was all but known it would be more than that.

Turner only missed one game last season, but now with him missing at least the west coast road trip, his total for this season will extend to at least 14.

The season isn’t going the way Turner or anyone expected for him. Injuries are playing a larger role than expected, and he hasn’t looked like the player from last season that averaged more points and played better defense.

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While it’s easy to look at the stats that show Indiana’s played better with Domantas Sabonis as a starter, those same injuries that are giving Sabonis these chances are the reason I don’t believe we’ve seen the real Myles Turner.

Turner’s injuries don’t absolve him of the issues he’s had entirely, but it seems next to impossible that he became a worse player since last season. He is 21 years old, he is still a “college kid” in anything other than his job. Maybe he isn’t going to reach an All-Star level like Pacers fans hoped, but the idea that a player so young, one that everyone sees potential in, is actually in decline, is hard to believe. Not impossible, but rather unlikely.

And it wasn’t as if he was struggling to do anything right. He was leading the NBA in blocks at one point despite missing seven games, and even at this point is only 12 behind the leader, Kristaps Porzingis. We’ve seen his defensive impact over the past three seasons as he’s cleaned up messes the guards in front of him created. His offense can improve, but it isn’t a problem. It’s just that more is expected out of him.

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This injury is another setback for him and the Pacers. While it gives Sabonis time to shine, it isn’t helping Turner find the rhythm that is lacking in his game this season. Turner will find himself and the comfort level that’s been missing, but he won’t be able to do that when he’s injured on the bench.

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