INDIANAPOLIS — Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner entered the NBA in 2015 as a wide-eyed 19-year-old.

Up until a few months ago, everything he learned about the NBA came through the lens of being an Indiana Pacer for the last 10 years. Turner grew from a boy to a man in Indy, building relationships with people at every level of the organization from the strength coaches and medical staff to the equipment managers.

The Bucks 117-115 win over the Pacers was the first time Turner experienced life as a visitor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. He learned of the flooding showers postgame and saw a mouse run through the locker room pregame. Things on the visiting side were odd for Turner, but what bothered him the most about his return to Indy was his reception from the crowd.

“It was disheartening, man. It was frustrating,” Turner said. “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’s cool, I take it on the chin. A lot of people say I said things, but I think a lot of people want to formulate their own narratives, spin it to whatever they want it to be, but it is what it is, man, like I said, you take it on the chin and move on.”

Turner’s tenure with the Pacers was never straightforward or warm and fuzzy. The 6-foot-11 shot blocker dealt with constant trade rumors, signed a two-year extension in January of 2023 before leaving for the Bucks last July. He said he couldn’t enjoy the pregame tribute video because the fans booed him through its entirety. Every time Turner touched the ball or committed a foul, the boos from the crowd continued with vigor.

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo silenced the home crowd with his game-winning shot, giving them a double thumbs down and putting a finger to his mouth in a hushing motion as his teammates mobbed him in celebration. There’s no love lost between the rivals, especially after the Pacers sent the Bucks home in five games during the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks embraced the challenge of winning the game for Myles, showing their new teammate they have his back against an organization that Turner felt turned its back on him.

“He had 10 years of service with one franchise. To be able to come to Indiana as the all-time blocks leader, to be booed, he might not say it but it kind of hurt,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’re here to pick him up. Tell him how much we love him and respect him. We understand how much he gave to Indiana and how much he’s going to give to Milwaukee.

“He’s a great, great person; great character, great competitor. I played against him for 10 years. I think he gave everything he had; blood, sweat, tears, his body, many times on the line for Indiana. … You can boo the Bucks, I understand. But booing Myles Turner, just think about yourself, put yourself in that position.”

Respect or lack thereof played a big part in Turner’s departure from Indy. Turner felt that Milwaukee made him a priority in free agency, making him an offer better than what was on the table from Indiana. Turner said most fans don’t understand the business side of the NBA, adding that he thrives under the hate and jeers from the people who used to cheer him on.

He started Monday’s game on fire, scoring seven points to go along with three blocks and two rebounds in the first quarter. Turner went quiet for two quarters, before helping hold off the Pacers late, catching a Cole Anthony airball and laying it in, putting Milwaukee up two with 2:22 left in the game. Always a force defensively, Turner blocked Ben Sheppard’s potential go-ahead 3 with 1:14 left.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers echoed Turner’s feelings about the home crowd saying he was surprised they’d boo someone who gave so much to the franchise. Rivers added that Turner didn’t want to leave Indiana, saying that he was made available, allowing the Bucks to sign him to a four-year $108 million contract. 

In Turner, the Bucks have a rare 3-and-D, stretch 5. Somehow who can impact both ends of the floor and he did just that in the fourth quarter against his former team.

“I was so happy for him because he played great,” Rivers said. “A big layup at the end. Big, huge, blocked shot. He’s just been fantastic for us. We couldn’t be happier for him.”

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