Pacers make major decision on Myles Turner for Game 4 amid respiratory illness issues

Indiana Pacethe rs center Myles Turner looks set to start against the OKC Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday as he is not mentioned on the injury report. The big man has reportedly been suffering from a respiratory illness but will be available for the upcoming game.

Indiana coach Lee Carlisle expressed his concerns over Turner’s fitness after the Pacers’ 116-107 win on Wednesday. During the post-game conference, he explained how the center had been under the weather and wouldn’t be part of training.

“Myles is under the weather. He may not even be with us tomorrow, he just hasn’t been feeling well the last couple of days, it has been affecting his wind,” Carlisle expressed.

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Despite not feeling his best, Turner was on the court for 30 minutes, as the Pacers took a 2-1 lead in the series. However, he did look gassed out during the game as he shot 3-11 from the field, recording nine points and two rebounds.

Carlisle updated on the center's health during the Finals media day on Thursday, as Pacers beat reporter Scott Agness summarized his comments on X (formerly Twitter).

"Myles Turner came in for the team film session but then went home to rest, as Rick Carlisle first mentioned last night. He’s under the weather, so they want for him to get well," Agness wrote.

Despite having a respiratory illness that caused him to miss practice on Thursday, the Pacers appear to have made a decision regarding Miles Turner's participation in Game 4. He is not listed on the injury report for the game and is expected to play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

NBA Insider reveals the Indiana Pacers are prepared to pay the luxury tax to re-sign Myles Turner

During an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" on ESPN, NBA Insider Shams Charania expressed his thoughts on Myles Turner's contract with the Pacers. The center is the longest-serving player for Indiana and could become an unrestricted free agent as his two-year $40,903,500 contract runs out this offseason.

However, the Pacers are expected to re-sign the big man to a maximum contract, with Charania reporting that the franchise is willing to pay the luxury tax to keep him.

"The Indiana Pacers know they need to have Myles Turner back. They can't afford to lose him ... the organization is prepared and expecting to pay the luxury tax," he expressed.

Turner was drafted by the Pacers as the 11th pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He has since become a staple of the Indiana frontcourt and has performed exceptionally during the 2025 NBA Finals.

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About the author

Arian Kashyap

Arian Kashyap is a basketball journalist at Sportskeeda with over two years of experience at Essentially Sports and Spice Bite and a Bachelor's in Physical Education and Sports Sciences.

Arian's favorite team is the Miami Heat and it’s mainly down to Dwyane Wade being his favorite player of all time. Arian loved how explosive Wade was as a player and he had all the attributes, whether that be shooting, defending or passing. Arian really liked how he won titles both with and without a dynasty behind him.

Arian has also worked with Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools and was the manager for a Delhi-based women’s team called Garwhal Untied. Garwhal won the Delhi league and were runners-up during his tenure.

Arian has judged essay writing competitions for the Commonwealth Students Welfare Group of India in 2023 and was a part of the U-14 team for the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools academy that qualified for the AIFF Round in 2023.

When not working or watching sports, Arian likes riding his motorcycle and reading.

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