Pacers forward Obi Toppin, who’s been putting up a solid 15.2 points per game through his first five contests this season, just got an upgrade on the injury report, moving to questionable for Sunday’s game against the Nets. He missed Friday’s clash with the Heat because of lower back soreness, so seeing him even possibly suit up is a definite sigh of relief for the squad.
The Good News, For Now
Toppin’s potential return is big. He’s stepped up early on, giving them that scoring punch the team needs. Getting him back on the floor, even questionable, shows progress after that back issue. It’s exactly the kind of boost the team needs, especially when you look at the rest of the medical sheet.
The Still-Staggering List
Because while Toppin *might* be back, the rest of the injury report is still an absolute gut punch. All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton remains sidelined with a left hamstring strain, and veteran point guard T.J. McConnell is also out with a right hamstring strain. Down in the paint, center Ivica Zubac is still out with a left ankle sprain. And we’re talking long term for forward Johnny Furphy, who’s got an ACL tear, and guard Ben Sheppard, who is recovering from a left meniscus tear. That’s a brutal amount of talent sitting on the bench.
So, while the Nets game on Sunday could see Toppin back in action, the Pacers are still facing a serious uphill battle with so many key players out. Every healthy body counts right now, and they’ll need everyone they can get to try and stay competitive.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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