Myles Turner Rejects Nuggets, Ascends NBA Recordbook

Although Myles Turner led the Indiana Pacers in scoring, his defense triggered a notable notch in his NBA career. On Sunday, the Pacers center reached a career mark in the 125-120 win over the Denver Nuggets.

The Ball Arena crowd witnessed one of the best games of the 2024-25 season and became a part of history, albeit in favor of the road team. 

Nearly 10 years into his NBA career, Turner hasn't won a Defensive Player of the Year award or even received an All-Defense selection. However, his defensive efforts haven't been in vain.  

As the Pacers' primary rim protector and, in some lineups, the only player with any notable defensive ability, it's impressive that they could clinch a home-court advantage in the first round.

On Sunday, Turner had a significantly daunting task guarding three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. But he helped lead the Pacers to a seismic victory, despite the massive challenge. Moreover, in the win, Turner amassed 1,400 career blocks. 

The Pacers center now ranks 48th all-time in terms of blocks accumulated in the NBA.

Turner ranks ahead of notable defensive players, such as 2011 NBA champions Tyson Chandler and Shawn Marion. 

With such players in Turner's rearview window, the Pacers' center now has the 2025 playoffs in his scope. The Pacers hold the lead for the Eastern Conference's fourth seed by three games, and unless they spiral downward, they should maintain such a position heading into the postseason.

Given Turner's defensive ferocity against one of the best teams in the league on Sunday, such results bode well for a possible first-round matchup vs the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks.