Due to Paul George’s show-stopping performance in Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors, rookie Myles Turner’s first career playoff game went somewhat unnoticed in the mainstream media.
The Raptors definitely noticed, though.
Turner, needed in large stretches of the game due to foul trouble from Ian Mahinmi, had to shoulder a huge weight in the front court with 26 minutes off the bench — the most of any big man on the Pacers.
The young man delivered. While 10 points and 5 rebounds seem pretty standard, his impact on the game was most evident on the defensive end, where he swatted 5 shots.