Obi Topin is nearing his return after a 123-day absence due to a stress fracture

The Indiana Pacers are heading toward the bottom line of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, with guys constantly in and out of the lineup as the calendar moves closer to March 2026. And while it’s been a frustrating season for many people in the organization, things might just get a little more fun.

Obi Toppinthe Pacers forward who became an instant fan favorite when he arrived with the Indiana Pacers in a trade from the New York Knicks has missed the last 56 games with a stress fracture in his right leg. Topin has appeared in just three games so far this season, playing two full games to start the year before suffering a strain 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 lineup Thursday night when the team takes on the Charlotte Hornets. Obi Taupin has been promoted to ‘Questionable’ with a fractured right foot and looks set to return to action soon.

In addition to Toppin, the Pacers also listed Andrew Nembhardt as “Questionable,” Pascal Siakam as “Doubtful” and Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac, Johnny Furfee and Tyrese Halliburton as “Outlaws” due to various injuries.

If Topin’s return doesn’t happen Thursday night against the Hornets, his next chance to play will be Sunday, March 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Pacers currently have one of the worst records in basketball at 15-44, at the bottom of the East and second worst in the NBA. At this point in the season, the Pacers are positioning themselves to land a high pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The May lottery will determine a lot for the franchise, however, as the Pacers traded their protected first-round picks in 2025 1-4 and 10-30. So, if the Pacers fall anywhere from 5-9, the pick will go to the LA Clippers, who received the pick along with the first unprotected 2029 pick, Benedict Maturin and Isaiah Jackson in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.

In his three seasons with the Pacers, Obi Taupin 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.