Long-serving Indiana Pacers star reveals what it’s like to live through NBA Finals journey

When the Indiana Pacers take to the court in front of a fervent Gainbridge Firehouse on Thursday night, they do so knowing that their NBA Finals fate is hanging by a thread.

The Pacers have been on a wild postseason journey, fighting back from the brink on many occasions to progress to the Finals for only the second time in team history. They will have to do the same again against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday and, with Tyrese Haliburton nursing an injury, may need to rely on less celebrated stars.

Step forward, Myles Turner. The 29-year-old has been with the team since being drafted in 2015 and this, his tenth season, is his most memorable yet.

Speaking the The Athletic this week, Turner revealed the intense strain that postseason competition puts on a player. But as he prepares for the biggest game of the career, he is trying to relish every minute.

“It’s just the moment itself, man,” Turner said. “Every single day, just how painful it is after a game, how much you don’t sleep, how much better the food tastes. All the little things, I’m not taking it for granted.

“Just finally being here and finally being able to soak my feet in the moment. Just taking it day-by-day. I think the best part about it is just the process of it all. It’s been a lot of fun.

Turner has twice led the league in blocks (2019, 2021) and he has been a crucial contribution again this year. He has made 89 starts across the regular season and playoffs, starting in every single game that he has played.

Now, with a championship on the line for Indiana, he is trying to appreciate the journey that he took to get to this point.

He said: “Just the fact that I’m here. I may not ever get this opportunity again so I’m just going to take full advantage of it. That’s the biggest value; the fact that you worked hard to get here and just never knowing where that opportunity is gonna present itself.”

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