Many players from both teams have had rocky performances in the NBA Finals, but nobody on the Indiana Pacers has been more disappointing than Myles Turner. Turner has struggled for the majority of the series, and with Game 7 just days away, he needs to get back on track for the Pacers to have a legitimate shot at winning it all.
So far in the series, the Texas native is averaging 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 2.2 turnovers per game. Additionally, he is shooting 36.8% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc. This includes an abysmal Game 6 performance, when he scored just three points on 1-for-9 shooting.
In addition to his poor rebounding and inefficient offense, Turner also has not made much of an impact on the defensive end, and he has outright looked like a negative on the court far too often in this series.
The Pacers are just one win away from winning an NBA Championship, but they need the whole team to bring their A-game for a chance at defeating the league-leading Thunder on their home court. This means that Turner needs to return to form because, with the way he has played in this series so far, he will not cut it as it stands.
Myles Turner has a lot on the line in Game 7
In addition to winning championship gold and solidifying himself as a Pacer great, Turner's future is on the line in Game 7. The Pacers big man is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. For most of the season, it seemed like a no-brainer for Indiana to bring him back in the offseason, no matter what the cost was going to be. However, with how he has played in the Finals (and for the second half of the conference finals), this decision does not seem so obvious anymore.
Not only is Turner at risk of not getting the contract he may want, but there is also a chance Sunday night will be his last game for the Pacers, especially if they do not come out on top. At this point, it is fair to assume the 29-year-old will sign a new deal to remain with the team past this offseason, but the decision is not as clear as it once was.
Ultimately, the Pacers do not have an obvious replacement for Turner, and that will be important to remember in the offseason. Still, for this to even be a discussion is not a good sign for Turner or for the team. Luckily for them, there is one game left for Turner to turn things around, and it is the most important one of his life. For both his and the team's sake, Turner must return to form for the Pacers to become NBA Champions this season.