As the Indiana Pacers approach the finish line of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, people are constantly moving in and out of the lineup as the calendar moves closer to March 2026. And while it's been a disappointing season for many within the organization, things may be about to get a little more fun.
Pacers forward Obi Toppin, who immediately became a fan favorite when he came to the Indiana Pacers in a trade with the New York Knicks, has missed the last 56 games due to a stress fracture in his right foot. Toppin has only played in three games so far this season, playing two complete games to start the year before suffering a stress fracture in the team's third game of the season.
After missing the last 56 games over 123 days, the Pacers forward has a chance to return to the team's lineup on Thursday night when the team takes on the Charlotte Hornets. Obi Toppin has been upgraded to "questionable" due to a stress fracture in his right foot, and it looks like he's ready to return to the court soon.
In addition to Toppin, the Pacers have listed Andrew Nembhard as "questionable", Pascal Siakam as "questionable" and Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac, Johnny Furphy and Tyrese Haliburton as "out" due to various injuries.
If Toppin does not return Thursday night against the Hornets, his next chance to play will be on Sunday, March 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Pacers currently have one of the worst records in basketball at 15–44, which is lowest in the East and second worst in the NBA. At this stage of the season, the Pacers are positioning themselves to get a high draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
However, the May lottery will decide a lot for the franchise, as the Pacers traded their 2025 first-round pick for protected picks at picks 1-4 and 10-30. So if the Pacers land anywhere from 5-9, the selection will be reported to the LA Clippers, who received the 2029 unprotected first-round pick, along with Benedict Mathurin and Isiah Jackson, in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.
In his three seasons with the Pacers, Obi Toppin has averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 54.7 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three.
