Indiana Pacers Roster, Injury News 2017: Center Myles Turner Close to Returning from Concussion
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner hasn't played since he suffered a concussion in the team's season-opening win against the Brooklyn Nets, but he's getting closer to a return.
Now that the symptoms have lessened, Turner has finally entered the National Basketball Association's (NBA) concussion protocol, and in an interview on Tuesday, he said he's making a lot of progress in his recovery.
"Most headaches are pretty much gone — well, they are gone. Just getting through the protocol right now and getting back in shape," Turner said, via Vigilant Sports.
"You don't want to go out there and have your symptoms flare up or have anything progressively get worse. I had to wait until [the symptoms] were all gone. The protocol is very meticulous and they take it very seriously, as they should. I'm getting through it," he continued.
It's only going to be a matter of time before the former University of Texas at Austin standout clears the league's concussion protocol.
Meanwhile, second-year big man Domantas Sabonis has been starting at center for the Pacers while Turner was on the shelf.
The Lithuanian center/forward didn't get the chance to shine last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder since he had to play with a ball-dominant player like Russell Westbrook. However, he has been a revelation for the Pacers this season and head coach Nate McMillan has noted that they want to play Sabonis alongside Turner as much as possible.
In seven games this season, Sabonis is averaging 12.9 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while playing in 25.7 minutes per game. He's also shooting an impressive 67.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the three-point line.
"He's really crafty. He really knows how to play. He's only going to keep getting better," Turner said of Sabonis, according to 1070 The Fan.