Obi Toppin Shines in NBA Finals Game 3

INDIANAPOLIS — Few athletes have experienced what Obi Toppin has, and even fewer have reached the NBA Finals.

While astronauts aren’t usually basketball players, for aerial talents like Toppin, the concept of outer space feels almost close at hand. On the court, “outer space” refers to the area above it where players regularly send the ball soaring high into the air. However, for a player to leap up and join it? That requires exceptional athleticism, a daring spirit, and a fearless attitude towards gravity.

Toppin showcased these qualities on Wednesday during a crucial moment in the Indiana Pacers’ 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. With just over four minutes remaining and a five-point lead, Pacers standout Tyrese Haliburton drove down the lane and took a leaning shot over Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams. The ball rebounded off the backboard and rim, soaring into the air.

As Thunder player Lu Dort leaped for the board, Toppin soared higher, executing a remarkable two-handed put-back dunk that increased Indiana’s lead to seven points. Just 18 seconds later, he followed this up with a thunderous block against Williams as he attempted a layup, igniting a roar from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse audience that hadn’t been felt in Indianapolis for 25 years.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been in the finals and allowed this crowd to witness this,” Toppin remarked, referencing the team’s last title appearance in 2000. “The fans did what they needed to do to support us.”

Toppin recorded eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks, but his true impact shone through his relentless effort, resulting in a game-high plus-18 in his 28 minutes. When he entered the game at the 7:35 mark in the first quarter, his energy immediately changed the game’s flow. His hustle kept pressing the Thunder, who struggled to respond. Standing at 6-foot-9, Toppin proved too nimble for OKC’s typical dual big-man setup, especially against Isaiah Hartenstein, who found it challenging to keep pace.

“He consistently brings pace to the game,” said Haliburton, reflecting on Toppin’s acquisition from New York in July 2023. “He always maintains that energy, flying up the floor and making the right play.” The spark from Toppin was part of a larger bench performance that propelled the Pacers closer to claiming their first NBA championship, as their reserves outscored the Thunder’s bench 49-18.