8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Myles Turner exits game with a broken nose

By Ben Gibson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 23: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 23, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 105-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 23: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 23, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 105-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Myles Turner had his nose broken in the Indiana Pacers win over the Atlanta Hawks. He will be evaluated again on Tuesday for concussion symptoms.

Myles Turner was playing one of the best games of the season before John Collins broke his nose during the Indiana Pacers win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The good news is he is upbeat, telling reporters it didn’t feel like when he got a concussion according to Tyler Smith of IndySportsLegends.com.

“I’m not overly concerned about it (nose.) I know I’ll have to wear a mask. I’ll be fine,” Turner said. “I’ve had concussions before. This doesn’t feel like that. We’ll find out more tomorrow.”

Along with an ankle injury to Doug McDermott, it was one of the only things that could dampen the mood at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday.

Turner was in the midst of one of his better games this season as he had 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. It was easy to get that many points in just 23 minutes of floor time as he was shooting 7 of 9 from the field and 3 of 4 from deep.

It’s one of the few low points in the best stretch of Turner’s career. Since Victor Oladipo’s injury in November — when Myles began stepping up his game —  Turner’s averages rose to 14.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while still blocking 3.1 shots a game. Indiana went 12-3 in December while Turner’s averages in the final month of the year climbed to 15.7 points and 9.4 rebounds a game.

Turner expects to play in a protective mask — no word yet on when — and likely will see those numbers drop as he recovers from the injury. However, with a 21 game stretch of improved play, fears that he’ll revert into the old version of himself, especially once fully healed — should be minimal.

Just before he elevated his game to close out the year, it was starting to look like maybe the critics were right, maybe the potential we saw early in his career wasn’t ever going to be uncovered. But perhaps in Oladipo’s absence, Turner found the confidence he needed to show he can be a franchise centerpiece.

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Here’s to Myles Turner’s quick recovery from the broken nose, and hopefully, as swift of a return to this new and improved version of himself.

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