Obi Toppin was upgraded from Out to Cleared on the Wednesday night injury report, about 10 minutes before tip at Memphis. He returns after a stretch listed with a back issue and a coach's decision.
What happened
Toppin was moved from Out to Cleared on the injury report posted Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:50 PM ET. No injury detail or comment came with the update, and no return date was announced. The change ended a week of back-and-forth. He was listed Out with a back and torso issue on Oct. 30, Day-To-Day on Oct. 31 and Out again on Nov. 1. Later that day he was Day-To-Day, then Out. On Nov. 2 the Pacers listed him Out as a coach's decision. On Nov. 3 he was Out with the back and torso issue again.
What it means for the Pacers
Indiana plays at the Grizzlies on Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET. The Pacers are 2-6, in 12th place, and have lost five straight. Toppin gives them 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.9 minutes over five games. Indiana is 2-3 with him and 0-3 without him. In those three games, Tyrese Haliburton averaged 33.0 minutes, Andrew Nembhard 32.6 and Pascal Siakam 32.2. Jarace Walker played 24.6 minutes, Kelly Oubre Jr. 23.2 and Aaron Nesmith 23.1. Haliburton and Oubre are both listed Out on the current report, so the forward rotation stays thin even with Toppin back.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Toppin carries any restriction after the back and torso issue that kept him out. No expected return is needed now, since he is cleared. Watch his minutes against Memphis and whether the Pacers keep him near his 22.9-minute average. Indiana is also missing Haliburton, Oubre, Ben Sheppard, Johnny Furphy and T.J. McConnell, all listed Out. The Pacers are looking for their first win after five straight losses.
Is Obi Toppin playing at the Grizzlies?
Yes, he is expected to play. The Pacers moved Toppin from Out to Cleared on the Wednesday report, ahead of the 8:00 PM ET game at Memphis.
When will Obi Toppin be back?
He is back now. Toppin was cleared on Nov. 4, and no further return date is needed. The injury report listed no detail or comment with the change.