Pacers GM Expects Obi Toppin to Return This Season, Emphasizes Caution
Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan expressed optimism Thursday evening ET that Obi Toppin will be available again this season, while stressing the club's cautious approach to his recovery from foot surgery. Buchanan said the organization wants Toppin fully healthy before reinstating him, leaving the door open for a return during the stretch run.
Buchanan: optimism tempered by prudence
Buchanan acknowledged clear progress in Toppin's rehabilitation but declined to attach a specific timetable. "I expect them to, yeah, " he said when asked whether Toppin would be back this season, adding that the team is prioritizing long-term health over a rushed return. That emphasis on prudence underscores the front office's goal to avoid re-aggravation and to put players in the best position to perform at a high level once they re-enter the rotation.
Where Toppin stands medically
Obi Toppin has been sidelined since suffering a foot injury in the early part of the campaign and subsequently undergoing surgery. Buchanan noted steady progress but stopped short of offering a firm date for clearance. The focus remains on ensuring bone and soft-tissue healing, progressive load-building and restoring confidence in the injured foot before game action resumes. The team appears comfortable allowing medical benchmarks — rather than a calendar — to guide the next steps.
Why his return matters to Indiana
Toppin's absence has been felt on both ends of the floor. His athleticism, transition speed and ability to finish above the rim make him a unique mismatch in small-ball lineups, and his development as a three-point threat has improved spacing when he’s on the floor. Without him, the coaching staff has experimented with alternate lineups and rotated frontcourt options, but Toppin’s combination of verticality, rim pressure and perimeter shooting remains difficult to replicate internally.
Timing and the post-All-Star window
With 27 games remaining after the All-Star break, there is a tangible window for Toppin to regain rhythm and build chemistry with teammates before the playoffs push begins. Buchanan’s comments suggest the club sees that stretch as a reasonable timeframe for reintroduction if recovery milestones are met. Even a limited return could provide valuable minutes and lineup flexibility as the team refines roles heading into the postseason.
Long-term outlook and roster implications
The front office’s cautious stance reflects a broader priority: maximizing Toppin’s long-term availability and effectiveness. Rushing a return could risk setbacks that would harm both player and team goals. If Toppin returns healthy and productive, he projects as a high-impact rotational piece — particularly in small-ball packages that require a mobile, floor-spacing big. For now, Indiana is balancing optimism with medical prudence as it maps out the remainder of the season.
Takeaway
Chad Buchanan’s update on Obi Toppin offers encouragement but few certainties. The expectation is that Toppin will suit up again this season, provided rehabilitation continues on its current trajectory. The Pacers are prioritizing a full recovery over a quick timeline, hoping that careful management will enable Toppin to return ready to contribute at a high level when called upon.
