The Indiana Pacers have been playing well this season as they are 15-9 and look to be true contenders in the Eastern Conference. For the past month though, the Pacers have been playing without Myles Turner, a rotational big man and a rookie whom they are very high on, who underwent surgery on his thumb. Turner is currently progressing in his recovery from the surgery but may not have a role with the team when he returns, according to Candace Buckner of he Indianapolis Star.
Turner sustained a chip fracture in his thumb back in the middle of November and swiftly decided to undergo surgery on November 16th. At the time Turner was given a six week timetable for his return and he seems to be right in line with that timetable as the bone in his thumb is reportedly healing well. Turner will undergo another x-ray at the end of December to make sure but it seems like he is getting close to being cleared for practice.
Turner had recently said that he is targeting a return in early January and that seems like a very realistic possibility at this point. The issue for Turner is that when Vogel was asked if Turner would be put back in the rotation upon his return he said "probably not."
The 19 year old rookie was the Pacers first round pick in the most recent NBA Draft and the Pacers love his upside. Turner appeared in Indiana's first eight games this season, getting consistent minutes and he was playing pretty well. Through those eight games Turner is averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game but it seems like he may have to wait to add to those numbers.
This season the Pacers have made a commitment to going small by playing either Paul George or C.J. Miles at the power forward spot which has left less playing time for big men. With Turner out Vogel has been using Jordan Hill, Ian Mahinmi and Lavoy Allen as his big men and they have all played pretty well. It is possible that Turner could take Allen's spot in the rotation at some point but for now it doesn't seem like Vogel is willing to mess with what is working.