Obi Toppin is listed day-to-day with a left hand issue but is active for Wednesday's game against the 76ers. The Pacers get a forward who scores 15.8 points a game back on a night when five teammates are out.
What happened
Toppin is listed day-to-day on the injury report with a left hand issue. The report, updated Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 6:32 p.m. ET, says he is active for Wednesday's game against Philadelphia. He was first listed day-to-day with the same left hand issue on Tuesday, Oct. 27. He was cleared from that listing on Wednesday, then listed day-to-day again in the evening update. The report's expected return date is Oct. 28, the same day as the game. The nature and severity of the hand injury have not been announced.
What it means for the Pacers
Indiana hosts the 76ers on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Pacers are 2-2, ninth in the standings, and lost their last game. Toppin has played all four games, averaging 23.2 minutes, 15.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists. The Pacers have not played without him yet. His availability matters more because Tyrese Haliburton, Ivica Zubac, T.J. McConnell, Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy are all out. If the hand limits his minutes, the frontcourt minutes go to Pascal Siakam (31.6 minutes, 23.5 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (22.6, 7.5) and Jarace Walker (20.9, 5.3).
What to watch
Watch how many minutes Toppin plays against Philadelphia and whether the hand affects his shooting or his work on the glass. His status for the next game will come with the next injury report. No timeline beyond Wednesday has been announced. Also watch the long injury list. With Haliburton, McConnell, Zubac, Sheppard and Furphy out, Indiana's rotation is short, and Toppin's minutes are hard to replace.
Is Obi Toppin playing vs 76ers on Wednesday?
Yes. The injury report lists him as day-to-day with a left hand issue and says he is active for Wednesday's 7 p.m. ET game against Philadelphia.
When will Obi Toppin be back?
He has not missed a game. He is active Wednesday, and the report's expected return date is Oct. 28. No further timeline has been announced.