Myles Turner rejoined the Pacers on the court for practice Tuesday and was a full participant. He’s missed the last seven games, during which the Pacers went 4-3, and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s home game against the Phoenix Suns.
“I feel pretty good,” he said after practice. “I went through a full day of practice today. In my head I’m always ready to play.
“It’s a little sore but I knew that was going to come with it. Just being able to shoot is good for my confidence.”
Turner joined the team on the road trip but was in street clothes and sported a heavy brace on his right elbow. He practiced on Wednesday and easily put up shots with a smaller, lighter brace that stabilizes the elbow.
A powerful one-handed jam in transition caused Turner to be sidelined for more than two weeks after he was diagnosed with a ligament sprain and muscle strain in his right elbow.
In his absence, second-year center Domantas Sabonis has filled in nicely and averaged 14.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game over the last 10 games.
The training staff plans to evaluate Turner in the morning to see how he feels and then make a decision prior to Wendesday’s game. When he does return, he’ll likely come off the bench for at least the first few games back.
“We’ll see once we get there,” said coach Nate McMillan. “When a guy has been off that long, we’re probably going to bring him off the bench.”
Turner returned to the St. Vincent Center, the team’s $50 million practice facility, Tuesday evening for a late-night session.
Turner posted this image on Instagram around 9:44 pm Tuesday night.
Since the Pacers returned from a five-game road trip out west — they went 3-2 — Wednesday’s game is the Pacers’ first over a home-friendly stretch featuring four of five and six of eight games played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.