Pacers’ Obi Toppin to Undergo Foot Surgery, Expected to Miss Several Months

The Indiana Pacers announced Friday that forward Obi Toppin will undergo surgery to repair a partial stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, marking a significant setback for both the player and the team. Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that the surgery is scheduled for Monday in New York and that the team likely won’t have a meaningful update on Toppin’s condition until February.

“Probably not recommend talking about this again until probably Feb. 1 — three months,” Carlisle said before Indiana’s 128-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. “That’s his situation.”

The procedure will involve placing a screw in Toppin’s foot to stabilize the fracture. Recovery timelines for such injuries can vary, but most players require several months of rest and rehabilitation before returning to basketball activities.

Toppin, who had started the season strongly, averaged 14 points and 6.7 rebounds through Indiana’s first three games before experiencing discomfort that led to his early exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves last Sunday.

1. Strong Start Cut Short by Injury

Toppin’s injury comes at an unfortunate time for both player and team. After a productive start to the year, the 26-year-old was beginning to establish himself as a consistent scoring option in Indiana’s frontcourt. His athleticism and energy in transition had helped the Pacers build one of the league’s fastest-paced offenses. In his brief stint before the injury, Toppin was shooting efficiently and showing improved confidence in his midrange and perimeter game. His 17-minute outing in Minnesota proved to be his last before team doctors recommended further imaging, which revealed the stress fracture. Since joining Indiana via trade from the New York Knicks in 2023, Toppin had become a reliable presence, playing at least 62 games in each of his first five NBA seasons. His durability had been one of his strengths, making the extended absence a notable blow to the Pacers’ rotation. Toppin’s surgery and recovery will now test the Pacers’ depth, especially as the team continues to deal with a growing list of injuries across key positions.

2. Pacers Facing Major Injury Challenges

Indiana’s injury woes extend well beyond Toppin. Entering the season, the team was already without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Backup guard T.J. McConnell has also been sidelined with a hamstring strain expected to keep him out for the first month of play. The Pacers’ backcourt continues to be depleted, with Bennedict Mathurin now considered week-to-week due to a right big toe sprain and Andrew Nembhard sidelined by a left shoulder strain. Depth issues have also spread to the bench, with Johnny Furphy (left foot bone bruise) and Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction) both missing Friday’s contest against Atlanta. These mounting injuries have forced Indiana to rely on short-term roster adjustments. On Saturday, the team signed forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to a 10-day hardship contract. Robinson-Earl, a four-year NBA veteran who has played for Oklahoma City and New Orleans, averages 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Carlisle has emphasized the importance of staying resilient during this stretch, noting that the Pacers will need to lean on their remaining healthy players and maintain focus despite the setbacks.

3. Looking Ahead Amid Uncertainty

The Pacers’ strong start to the season has been overshadowed by the growing injury list, and Toppin’s surgery adds another obstacle for a team already managing multiple absences among key contributors. While the timeline projects him to return sometime around February, the exact date will depend on his recovery progress and medical evaluations. Toppin’s absence leaves a significant hole in Indiana’s rotation, particularly in transition scoring and rebounding. The Pacers may turn to Jarace Walker and Jalen Smith to fill frontcourt minutes, while relying on increased offensive output from veteran Myles Turner and the healthy members of the backcourt. Despite the adversity, the organization remains confident in its long-term direction, anchored by a young core and a fast-paced style that has defined its recent success. Still, the immediate challenge will be maintaining competitiveness in a deep Eastern Conference while awaiting the return of several key players. Carlisle reiterated that the focus will remain on recovery and roster adaptability: “We can’t control the injuries, but we can control how we respond to them,” he said.