Pacers' Turner in concussion evaluation after being inadvertently hit in the face by teammate

APTOPIX Pacers Clippers Basketball Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr., right, shoots as Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin, center, defends and also hits Pacers center Myles Turner in the face during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — (AP) — Indiana center Myles Turner left in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers after being inadvertently hit in the face by teammate Bennedict Mathurin on Thursday night.

Turner was in concussion evaluation and did not return.

"Got hit in the jaw. I didn't see the play yet," coach Rick Carlisle said after Indiana's 119-112 victory. "We'll see how he's feeling tomorrow. That will determine where it goes."

Turner was going for a rebound when he was struck in the face by Mathurin. Turner went down, but got up and as he moved up court he signaled he needed to come out.

Once a timeout was called, Turner staggered before being steadied on each side by two Indiana staffers. He walked off the court under his own power.

Turner is the Pacers' career leader in blocked shots in his 10th season with the team.

Mathurin scored 25 points.

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