Myles Turner's Dominant Season Fuels Pacers' Playoff Push

As the 2023-24 NBA season winds down, one player has emerged as the driving force behind the Indiana Pacers’ remarkable playoff push - Myles Turner. The 27-year-old center has taken his game to new heights, anchoring the Pacers’ stingy defense while providing a consistent scoring punch on the other end.

Defensive Dynamo

Turner has long been regarded as one of the league’s premier rim protectors, but this season he has taken his defensive prowess to another level. With an NBA-leading 1.8 blocks per game, Turner has been a virtually impenetrable force in the paint, deterring opponents from even attempting shots in his vicinity.

“Myles is a game-changer on defense,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “He not only blocks shots, but alters so many others. Teams have to account for him at all times.”

His impact extends beyond the flashy rejection totals, however. Turner’s positioning, intelligence, and quick hands have made him a disruptive presence all over the defensive end. He ranks in the top 10 in both steals and deflections, illustrating his ability to make plays away from the basket.

Offensive Outburst

While Turner’s defensive exploits have been well-documented throughout his career, his offensive breakout in 2023-24 has been a revelation. The Texas product is averaging a career-high 17.3 points per game on an ultra-efficient 52.4% shooting from the field.

Turner’s evolution as a scorer can be traced to his improvement in two key areas - three-point shooting and foul shooting. After struggling from deep early in his career, he has become a legitimate threat from beyond the arc, connecting on 34.2% of his triples this season. Meanwhile, his free-throw percentage has spiked to 81.3%, allowing him to cash in on the extra freebies he earns with his physical brand of play.

“I’ve put in a ton of work to expand my offensive game,” Turner said. “Being able to stretch the floor and get to the line has opened up so many more opportunities for me to score.”

Beyond his raw scoring numbers, Turner’s efficient, low-turnover offensive contributions have been pivotal for a Pacers squad that ranks in the bottom third of the league in offensive rating.

Hometown Hero

Born and raised in Bedford, Texas - just outside of Dallas - Turner’s surge has made him a beloved figure in his home state. He played his college ball at the nearby University of Texas, establishing himself as a defensive menace before being selected 11th overall by the Pacers in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Now in his eighth season in Indianapolis, Turner has firmly entrenched himself as a fan favorite with his humble demeanor off the court and his relentless intensity on it.

“It means everything to be able to represent the state of Texas and the Pacers organization,” Turner said. “I take a lot of pride in giving it my all every single night.”

Unexpected Ascent

Few pundits expected the Pacers to be in the playoff mix this season after trading away centerpieces Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert last year in a franchise reset. However, led by Turner’s breakout campaign and the steady guidance of veteran point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana has defied the odds to sit firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

With just over a dozen games left in the regular season, the Pacers find themselves locked in a heated battle with the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat for the 5th through 8th playoff seeds. While home-court advantage may be out of reach at this point, Turner and company have their sights set on securing a postseason berth and an opportunity to pull off a first-round upset.

“We’ve exceeded a lot of external expectations, but not our own,” Turner stated. “This group believes in each other and we’re going to keep fighting until the very end.”

No matter how the rest of the season unfolds, one thing is certain - Myles Turner’s star has officially arrived on the national stage. With his unique defensive brilliance coupled with his newly unlocked offensive arsenal, the best may still be yet to come for this blossoming NBA standout.