Myles

Turner

Turner played just 21 minutes in the Pacers’ 53-point blowout win over the Wizards Thursday. The 29-year-old center was part of the offensive explosion as he had 17 points on seven shots including four made three-pointers. Turner went without a block or a steal for the first time since February 4, but that’s understandable considering Indiana pulled the plug on its starters early in this one.

Turner has been more valuable to fantasy managers over the past two weeks, offering top-20 value in eight- and nine-cat formats. Increased rebounding and blocked shot production has been the reason, with the Pacers center averaging 8.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. While he didn’t hit that blocks average against the Lakers, Turner did grab a season-high 12 rebounds. He’ll look to end Week 21 positively when the Pacers play games against the Wizards and Thunder.

Turner had been on a scoring tear entering this game; he scored at least 20 points in each of their last two games. However, he didn’t have that same scoring success in a matchup with Rudy Gobert. Still, he was able to provide plenty of defensive production despite the lack of scoring. This was his fourth-straight game with at least three swats. Indiana still has three more games this week for Turner to continue to rack up the defensive stats.

Saturday was an excellent day to roster Turner, as he was efficient offensively and recorded a complete stat line. Over the past two weeks, the Pacers center has provided third-round value in nine-cat formats. As long as Turner remains healthy, he has the potential to be a difference-maker during the fantasy playoff weeks due to his ability to provide excellent value in multiple categories. The Pacers play four games during Week 21.

After only scoring nine points in 22 minutes on Wednesday, Turner bounced back and had his first double-double in nearly a month and his first 20-point double-double since December. He also had his highest block total in a game since Indiana’s first game after the All-Star break; he swatted seven shots in that game. This was the ideal game for managers that have Turner rostered, and he’ll look to repeat this performance in a rematch with Brooklyn on Saturday to close out the week.

Nesmith, Siakam and Turner are back after sitting out Monday’s win over the Timberwolves. Their returns mean Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker and Thomas Bryant will come off the bench. However, since Tyrese Haliburton (back) remains sidelined, Mathurin will get another start.

Turner and Nesmith were two of the four Pacers starters who did not play in Monday’s win over the Timberwolves. Their returns to the lineup mean Thomas Bryant and Bennedict Mathurin will head to the bench. While Mathurin can still provide deep-league value as a reserve, there isn’t much to gain from holding onto Bryant.

Turner will be sidelined for a game for the first time since before the All-Star break, which will contribute to Indiana being down four starters against Minnesota. Thomas Bryant will likely move into the starting lineup at center, and he had success in place of Turner in February.

Turner is new to the injury report. Injuries are piling up for the Pacers ahead of Monday’s game. Thomas Bryant could be in for a spot start if the big man is ruled out.

Turner extended two streaks on Friday, making it seven straight games with at least one blocked shot and 12 straight scoring in double figures. Since the All-Star break, the Pacers center has been a second-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats. Turner will look to continue his excellent play on Saturday when the Pacers visit the Bucks in a game that may significantly impact playoff seeding.