Obi Toppin

As two of his off-the-bench teammates set their sights on the NBA’s postseason history books during Game Three of the NBA Finals, Obi Toppin adjusted his scope to the next best thing: the highlight reels. Bringing his absolute best during a critical point, Toppin rises to the occasion — quite literally — returning a teammate’s missed layup towards the rim for a powerful putback flush, allowing the Indiana Pacers a seven-point lead in the final four-and-a-half minutes. Excellence was only just beginning for Toppin, who followed his jam with a defensive stand, mirroring Jalen Williams step-for-step on a pick-and-roll drive before pinning the Oklahoma City Thunder star’s layup attempt against the glass. Said plays allowed the Pacers to temporarily sit in the driver’s seat of the NBA Finals, as they enjoyed a 2-1 series edge after June 11, 2025’s win. On a night that included brilliance of record-setting proportions by Toppin’s backcourt teammates, the highflying fifth-year forward offered the perfect complements, adding eight points (on four-of-eight shooting), six rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.