Myles Turner Closes Pacers ‘Chapter’ After Facing ‘Disheartening’ Boos from Former Fans

Myles Turner returned to play against his former team, the Indiana Pacers for the first time since joining the Milwaukee Bucks.

Myles Turner Closes Pacers ‘Chapter’ After Facing ‘Disheartening’ Boos from Former Fans

Myles Turner is now with the Milwaukee Bucks (Image via FirstSportz)

Last season, Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers surprised the basketball world with a run to the NBA Finals. They almost won the title, if not for Tyrese Haliburton‘s Game 7 injury.

Once it was understood that the star point guard would miss the entire 2025-26 season, the outlook for the Pacers was not as solid as their fans had hoped.

Turner figured out his time with the franchise had come to an end, and he decided to jump ship within the conference. The center signed a 4-year, $108.9 million contract to join the rival Milwaukee Bucks.

The 29-year-old believed that joining Giannis Antetokounmpo was the best course for his career. When it was finally time to return to his old battleground, the Texas native was greeted well by former teammates and staff.

However, the fans were not on the same page. They first booed him relentlessly when the Pacers broadcast his tribute video. Then, when the arena announcer was introducing Myles Turner, those boos inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse became louder.

When it dawned that those same fans who cheered him for a decade were now turning against him, the 6′ 11″ star gestured with his hands that he was closing that chapter of his life.

Those fans may have been incensed by his decision to join a rival whom they defeated in the 1st round last season. But that did not justify this booing, and in response, Turner even sarcastically waved at them.

Myles Turner talks about ‘disheartening’ return to Indiana

Myles Turner did not have a stellar game to silence the Pacers crowd. Therefore, he chose to express his disappointment after the game, saying this about his return to Indiana.

Myles Turner with Tyrese Haliburton
Myles Turner with Tyrese Haliburton (Image via Matt Glenesk/X)

It was disheartening… 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… You take it on the chin and just move on.

Myles Turner told WISH-TV News

He was upset with the Indiana Pacers fans as they preferred to ignore his decade’s worth of contributions, and instead booed him for what he did not do, which was to stay with the Pacers for less money.

Turner had taken pay cuts before and was the constant subject of trade rumors. Now with Haliburton out for a year, the center moved out as he did not have an opportunity to both earn a bigger paycheck and also try to win the NBA championship.

Giannis Antetokounmpo shreds Pacers fans for booing Myles Turner

There was a time when Indiana fans were known for their hostility towards others. Then there was a time last season when it seemed to have changed, and basketball fans were appreciative of Indianapolis supporters.

Seeing how their boos impacted Myles Turner, reporters asked Giannis Antetokounmpo what he thought about the situation. As usual, the NBA champion decided to take the philosophical route.

Anybody booing Myles Turner, just think about yourself. Put yourself in that position, working in your job for 10 years, and then you decide to make a move for your family, yourself, because you have different goals… You go back, and your co-worker and your boss is yelling at you… What the hell.

Giannis Antetokounmpo said

The Bucks star believes sometimes things are bigger than sports, which is why he thinks it was not right for the Pacers’ fans to boo Turner. However, it was Antetokounmpo and his team who had the last laugh, scoring the game-winner and silencing the Pacers crowd.

Also Read: