Obi Toppin has recently put together some incredible performances for the Indiana Pacers, which is especially impressive considering that he was sidelined for roughly four months due to a foot injury.
Since his return, he has averaged 11 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 52.4% from the field and 36.1% from deep in just 16.1 minutes across 19 games. And in his last 13 games, he has averaged 14 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 55.6%/41.3% shooting splits in 18.1 minutes. This includes a 26-point, nine-rebound, 11-for-14 shooting performance against the Brooklyn Nets on Apr. 9.
Toppin has played 22 games all season long, and he has only started three of them. He is playing some of the best basketball of his Pacers career (small sample size, I know, but the eye test doesn't fail), and he's doing it in a reduced role.
Of course, this season is hard to judge, considering the injuries they have dealt with all season long. Toppin's playing very well, but he's doing most of his work without Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and obviously Tyrese Haliburton on the court. Still, there is no denying that he's ready and capable of helping Indiana get back to title contention next season, and it could lead to some interesting discussions.
Obi Toppin could be in the 6th Man of the Year race next season
Next season, the Dayton alum is going to be one of the Pacers' most important bench players. He has started just 35 of his 183 games with the team, and his number will likely be called on a lot more next season, especially without Bennedict Mathurin leading the bench scorers anymore.
Indiana has a fantastic second unit, and its depth has been a big reason for its success in recent years. And part of that is because of T.J. McConnell, who is one of the best backup point guards in the NBA and can facilitate and set his teammates up at a high level. This is the best-case scenario for the Pacers' go-to scorer off the bench, and as it stands, it looks like that might be Toppin.
Toppin isn't much of a shot-creator himself, but he can score pretty efficiently at all three levels. And with guys like McConnell, Haliburton, and Nembhard setting him up throughout the game, a career year may be inevitable.
His scoring numbers have already been on the rise every year of his Pacers career (10.3, 10.5, and 11.4 PPG), and he is a perfect fit in the system because of his athleticism and ability to space the floor.
Additionally, we're past the era of guys like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams taking the award every other year. The Sixth Man of the Year award is as open as it's ever been. And as the Pacers look to get back to the top next season and re-establish themselves as title contenders, don't be surprised if Toppin adds some hardware to his collection along the way.