BREAKING: Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin will undergo urgent surgery on Monday, October 30, 2023, to repair a partial stress fracture in his right foot, the team confirmed today. Coach Rick Carlisle announced that Toppin is expected to be sidelined until at least February 1, 2024, marking a significant setback for the Pacers as they deal with mounting injuries.
“This is a tough situation,” Carlisle stated before the Pacers faced the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. “Probably not recommend talking about this again until probably Feb. 1, [in] three months. That’s his situation.”
Toppin’s injury comes after he played just 17 minutes during a recent loss to Minnesota. Despite his limited time on the court, he was contributing an average of 14 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season. The Pacers are already grappling with a roster plagued by injuries, including star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles.
The injury woes do not stop there. Backup T.J. McConnell is expected to miss at least the first month due to a hamstring strain. Additionally, rookie Bennedict Mathurin is now considered week-to-week with a right big toe sprain, while starting guard Andrew Nembhard exited the season opener with a strained left shoulder. The team also announced that reserves Johnny Furphy (left foot bone bruise) and Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction) will be out against Atlanta.
As the Pacers struggle to fill the gaps left by these injuries, fans are left wondering how this will impact their season. The urgency for the team is palpable, and they face an uphill battle as they strive to stay competitive in the league.
With Toppin’s surgery scheduled for Monday in New York, all eyes will be on the Pacers as they navigate this challenging period. The upcoming weeks will be crucial as the team seeks to regroup and address their injury crisis.