Jim Ayello

Jim Ayello

Indiana Pacers coach Nate McMillan confirmed Wednesday that second-year center Myles Turner will not play in Thursday's home game against Chicago.

Turner has been recovering from the first concussion of his career.

"We wanted to get a few more practices under his belt," McMillan said after practice at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. "He took like seven days off, so he needs conditioning and to pick up some of the things we put in."

McMillan said he expects Turner, who practiced Wednesday, to make his preseason debut Saturday in Chicago against the Bulls.

In other injury news, free agent acquisition Jeremy Evans practiced for the first time this preseason, which was a bit of a surprise. Ten days ago, McMillan said the 28-year-old forward might miss all of training camp and possibly the start of the season while rehabbing the torn labrum in his shoulder.

"It was good to see him out there and take a look at him," McMillan said. "But I haven't heard anything as far as (Thursday) and playing in the game."

Backup point guard Aaron Brooks returned to practice Wednesday after missing Saturday's practice and the preseason opener with a hip injury. His status for Thursday's game is still to be determined, McMillan said.

Follow IndyStar producer Jim Ayello on Twitter: @jamesayello.