Obi Toppin’s dunks contributed to the Knicks’ downfall in Game 1.

Obi Toppin’s Playoff Moment at Madison Square Garden

Obi Toppin has always imagined scoring in crucial moments, possibly to lead a playoff win at Madison Square Garden. On Wednesday night, that dream took a step towards reality as he faced his former team, the Knicks.

While Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith grabbed much of the spotlight, Toppin made notable contributions, including two key dunks during overtime in the Pacers’ thrilling 138-135 comeback victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Brooklyn native recorded his first playoff double-double, a mix of eight points and 10 rebounds over 20 minutes—a significant feat for the eighth overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft.

Despite a missed dunk earlier in the game, Toppin rebounded, regaining a one-point lead for the Pacers after a failed three-pointer attempt from Haliburton with just 54 seconds left in overtime.

“We’re in the right place at the right time,” Toppin reflected post-game. “I think we really can win the rebounding battle against the Knicks, so I’m just trying to grab every board.”

Toppin’s contributions helped extend Indiana’s lead to three points in the closing seconds, capping off a remarkable comeback where they rallied from a 14-point deficit with under three minutes left in regulation. Jalen Brunson noted that the Knicks should have fouled Toppin but let him secure an uncontested dunk instead.

Haliburton also played a crucial role, hitting a jumper that sealed the game and marking his third consecutive comeback victory in the playoffs for Indiana, overcoming situations where they were trailing in the final moments.

The Pacers have shown resilience, now standing at 4-1,702 in playoff history under similar circumstances, and have already executed impressive comebacks this season against the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Knicks.

“It’s unprecedented for other teams,” Toppin stated. “But for us, we’re going to keep playing until the final buzzer goes off. I think everyone here is putting in 110% every game.”

After three seasons in New York where he was often overshadowed by Julius Randle, Toppin was traded to Indiana in 2023 for future draft picks. Now, after securing consistent playing time with the Pacers—averaging 10.4 points in 20.3 minutes per game—he’s enjoying his playoff run.

The 27-year-old, who previously captured fans’ affection at MSG and won the 2022 Slam Dunk Contest, relishes returning to his roots during the postseason. “It’s always a thrill to play at the Garden,” Toppin shared. “And we’re determined to win here.”