Doc Rivers angered Pacers fans for booing Myles Turner

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers he didn’t mince his words after watching the Indiana Pacers fans mercilessly boo former cornerstone of the franchise Miles Turner during its first game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night.

Rivers called the fan reaction “disappointing” after Turner, who spent 10 seasons with the Pacers before joining Milwaukee last summerhe was jeered during the Bucks’ 117-115 win that was sealed by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s buzzer-beating jumper.

“This guy gives you 10 years,” Rivers said. “I want to make something clear. Miles didn’t want to leave. Miles was made available. That’s a big difference.”

Ours @VISHNevs8 the camera caught Miles Turner’s full reaction to his #Pacers tribute video.

You can see Turner miming closing the book, winking and then waving (seemingly sarcastically) to the fans as they booed him. #YesCers pic.twitter.com/vgd826AGSC

— Angela Morian (@AngelaMorianTV) November 4, 2025

The boos began during a pregame video highlighting Turner’s decade at Indiana and grew louder when the ball was turned over. Turner leaned into the villain role, waving sarcastically to the audience and responding to the noise with early energy. He finished with nine points, seven rebounds and five blocks, helping the Bucks improve to 5-2.

“It woke me up,” Turner said. “You have to channel that energy. That negative energy turned into positive.”

Myles Turner isn’t shy about why he chose the Bucks over the Pacers

Turner, the 11th overall pick by Indiana in 2015, remained in free agency after the Pacers declined to match Milwaukee’s four-year, $107 million offer. He said the Pacers’ front office never showed comparable interest in keeping him.

“Go where you’re valued,” Turner said. “The presidency and ownership valued me more in Milwaukee than here in Indiana.”

Antetokounmpo, who had 33 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, defended his new teammate, saying it was “unfair” for fans to turn against a player who has given so much to their franchise.

“He gave them 10 years, his body, his blood, his sweat, his tears,” Antetokounmpo said. “Maybe he wouldn’t say it, but it hurt. We’re here to pick him up and show him love.”

Despite the whistles, Turner walked away with the last word and a victory that silenced his old home crowd.