After 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, center Myles Turner moved on in the offseason. Shortly after the Pacers lost Game 7 of the NBA Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Turner left to sign a four-year, $107 million deal with the rival Milwaukee Bucks.
On Monday night, Turner made his return to Indiana as a visitor for the first time in his career. While the game’s result was a positive for the veteran, his experience with his former hometown fans left a lot to be desired.
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Pacers fans let Turner know how they felt about him immediately, booing the former first-rounder during his tribute video before the game even started.
After the contest, Turner admitted he was “frustrated” by that reaction, per ESPN.
“It was disheartening, man. It was frustrating,” Turner said after the game. “You give 10 years of your life, your blood, your sweat, your tears. You take pay cuts. You survive trade rumors. You try to do everything the right way, and then sometimes stuff shakes out. It is cool. I take it on the chin.”
That move may have backfired in the end. Turner added that the booing “woke me up.” He scored seven of his nine points in the first quarter. Turned added seven rebounds and five blocks in the game.
The Bucks needed every single one of those contributions. With the two teams separated by a single basket down the stretch, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo hit a buzzer-beater as time ran out to lift the Bucks 117-115 in Turner’s return.
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After the game, Antetokounmpo made sure Turner knew the Bucks had his back, per ESPN.
“He might not say it, but [the boos] kind of hurt,” said Antetokounmpo, who finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. “But we are here to pick him up, tell him how much we love him and respect him. We understand how much he gave for the team, for Indiana, and how much he’s willing to give for Milwaukee. He’s a great, great person, great character, a great competitor. I played against him for 10 years. I think he gave everything.”
Bucks coach Doc Rivers also expressed frustration with Pacers fans, saying, “I was really disappointed tonight.” Rivers pointed out that Turner wasn’t trying to leave Indiana, he just got a better deal from the Bucks.
Turner didn’t exactly endear himself to Pacers fans following his exit from the team. He made a number of comments that could be interpreted as digs at his former organization in the offseason.
Turner attempted to clarify those comments multiple times, explaining they were a reflection of how he felt about the front office and free agency, not about the fans. He even met with reporters prior to Monday’s game to reiterate he is still appreciative of Pacers fans.
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During Monday’s game, Pacers fans let Turner know the feeling wasn’t mutual.