In the Milwaukee Bucks' recent games, Myles Turner has been seeing just 22.6 minutes on the court, ranking sixth in team playtime. While fans speculated that a recent calf strain might be limiting his minutes, Doc Rivers has clarified there’s no such restriction. Instead, this is simply Rivers' strategic choice in player rotation.
Turner’s reduced role has placed him behind Kyle Kuzma and Jericho Sims. With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, Kuzma’s increased presence is understandable, but Sims’ leap ahead of Turner has certainly turned heads. Rivers appears to be capitalizing on Sims’ athletic prowess and rebounding skills, which have contributed to the team’s success.
Statistically, the Bucks have been thriving, boasting eight wins in their last ten games. Sims has been a standout with a +62 plus-minus, the highest on the team during this stretch, while Turner’s rating sits at 0. While plus-minus isn’t the sole measure of effectiveness, it does highlight the impact of different lineups.
Giannis’ absence has undeniably affected Turner’s performance. Among Bucks duos with over 200 minutes together this season, the pairing of Antetokounmpo and Turner ranks second in plus-minus at +120, illustrating Turner’s success when playing alongside Giannis.
Despite still getting minutes, Turner’s current role doesn’t reflect his status as the team’s second-highest-paid player. The Bucks made significant moves, including waiving Damian Lillard, to bring Turner on board this summer, making his limited playtime surprising.
As the season progresses, how Doc Rivers manages his roster will be intriguing. Even with Giannis’ return, Sims has proven his worth and will likely maintain a significant role. Whether Sims continues to outpace Turner and Portis in minutes remains to be seen, especially given their fit alongside Giannis.
Turner’s situation will be a key storyline as the Bucks navigate the rest of the season.