Pacers forward Obi Toppin was ruled out for Friday's game at Miami with a back injury, after being listed as day-to-day earlier in the day. Indiana has lost two straight and will be without him and five other injured players.
What happened
Obi Toppin will not play Friday night in Miami. The Pacers forward was ruled out on the injury report at 7:10 PM ET with a back injury, less than an hour before the 8:00 PM ET tip against the Heat. Earlier Friday he had been listed as day-to-day with the same back problem. The report's comment: "Toppin (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Miami." This is his third injury listing in four days. He was day-to-day with a left hand issue on Tuesday, Oct. 27. He was cleared from that listing twice on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
What it means for the Pacers
Indiana is 2-3, the 10th seed, and has lost two straight going into Friday's game at the Heat. Toppin has played all five games, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.9 minutes. The Pacers have not played a game without him, so all five results came with him in the lineup. Five other players are also out: Tyrese Haliburton, Ivica Zubac, Ben Sheppard, Johnny Furphy and T.J. McConnell. That leaves his minutes to Pascal Siakam (32.1 minutes, 24.0 points), Andrew Nembhard (32.7, 16.5), Kelly Oubre Jr. (24.0, 9.0), Aaron Nesmith (21.8, 13.3), Jarace Walker (21.0, 5.6) and Quenton Jackson (18.3, 5.0).
What to watch
The injury report lists Nov. 1 as Toppin's expected return date. No other timeline has been announced. The next report will show whether his status moves back to day-to-day before then. Also watch whether Indiana gets any of its five other injured players back. For now, the Pacers try to end a two-game losing streak shorthanded on Friday at 8:00 PM ET in Miami.
Is Obi Toppin playing at Heat on Fri, Oct 30?
No. Toppin was ruled out with a back injury on the injury report at 7:10 PM ET Friday.
When will Obi Toppin be back?
The injury report lists Nov. 1 as his expected return date. No other timeline has been announced.