Myles Turner has dislocated finger, status going forward still to be determined for Indiana Pacers

Turner hurt his finger in the second quarter on Monday

Apr 1, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner suffered a dislocated finger during the Pacers win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, according to head coach Rick Carlisle.

"Don't know anything for sure," Carlisle said after the game when asked about the severity of the injury. "The X-Ray is negative for a fracture, which is good news. Dislocated it. They put it back in place. Don't know his status for Wednesday."

Turner rolled toward the rim with 52 seconds to go in the first half on Monday, and he received a pass from Andrew Nembhard with space in front of him. Brooklyn had no choice but to commit a foul to stop Turner from scoring with ease.

Trendon Watford committed the infraction, and the Pacers center missed his dunk attempt. But his hand got caught somewhere on the rim or net, and the pointer finger on his right hand immediately bent the wrong direction. Several Pacers players sitting on the bench nearby reflexed when they saw Turner's finger in the aftermath.

He ran off the court and back to the tunnels of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and Indiana took a timeout. Turner emerged a few minutes later with his finger looking normal again, but he took the free throws he earned from getting fouled with his left hand, sinking one of the two. The Pacers then fouled intentionally to sub Turner out of the game.

Clearly, his hand was a problem. And the team then announced just after halftime that Turner's night was over due to a sprained right finger. His outing ended with nine points, six rebounds, and five blocks in 14:13 of play.

"I didn't look. I saw everybody else's reaction so I figured out what happened," Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton said of the injury. He didn't want to peek at Turner's incorrectly-positioned finger.

"Hopefully he's good," Haliburton added. Turner's status is still to be determined for Indiana's next game — which is on Wednesday in Brooklyn. "He should be fine."

Turner has played in 72 games this season, only missing four so far. Indiana is 2-2 in those outings. After he left the game on Monday, Jalen Smith started the second half in his place, and Isaiah Jackson backed up Smith. Those two will likely comprise the blue and gold's big man rotation if Turner has to miss time, and small-ball lineups with Obi Toppin or Pascal Siakam at center may also be an option. Smith was ejected in the second half in the Pacers win over the Nets.

Turner took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to make light of the injury. "Will Trade My Rarest LEGO Set For A Right Index Finger," he joked. Turner is averaging 16.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game this season. He is one of Indiana's best players.

---

• Jarace Walker getting more chances for the Indiana Pacers as feel for the game improves . CLICK HERE.
• Mojave King chose to play for the Indiana Mad Ants to develop, and hopes to be with Indiana Pacers in the future'. CLICK HERE.
• Doug McDermott returns during Indiana Pacers road trip, has a refined sense on how he can help the team win
  . CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers crush Brooklyn Nets for second-straight win as Tyrese Haliburton shines . CLICK HERE.
• Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
• Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers