NBA Notes: Pacers, Obi Toppin, Thunder, Jalen Williams, Cavs

Pacers

The news on Obi Toppin isn’t good, and that’s just the way things are going for the Pacers.

Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that Toppin will undergo surgery to insert a screw in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star and Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

Carlisle added that he doesn’t want any more questions on the matter until Feb. 1, a pretty clear sign Toppin is out at least three months.

The Pacers confirmed the diagnosis as a partial stress fracture, as relayed by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Toppin was already nursing a hamstring strain that was expected to sideline him a few weeks, and both injuries happen to be on the same leg.

Toppin, 26, was the eighth overall pick in 2020 and has quietly become a reliable rotation piece since arriving from New York. He’s missed only three games since the start of last season, but that streak will end.

If there’s any upside, it’s that this gives him extra time to heal from the hamstring issue.

Thunder

Jalen Williams’ return to the Thunder lineup will have to wait a bit longer.

The All-Star wing underwent a second wrist procedure to remove a screw that was causing irritation, the team announced, via Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. Williams is expected to be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days.

Williams tore a ligament in the same wrist last April but pushed through during the playoffs, helping lead the Thunder to their first NBA title in franchise history.

He earned All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team honors after averaging 20.9 points per game last season.

The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract, though he already agreed to a five-year rookie max extension this summer. Basically, he’s not going anywhere anytime soon as the deal keeps him under contract through 2030.

While he’s out, Luguentz Dort, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Ajay Mitchell have picked up the extra minutes. Even without Williams, OKC sits at 6-0.

Cavaliers

In case you missed it, the Cavaliers are bringing in a familiar face.

Free agent wing Chris Livingston has agreed to a two-way deal with Cleveland, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Akron native and former Bucks draft pick was the final selection in the 2023 draft and appeared in 42 games over two seasons.

Livingston flashed promise in the G League, where he averaged 18.1 points and 8.2 rebounds for the Wisconsin Herd.

He also stood out in Summer League, earning a fully guaranteed deal before the Bucks cut him ahead of the regular season.

The Cavs had an open two-way spot, so no corresponding move is needed. Livingston’s contract will pay him a prorated share of the two-way salary — just under $600,000 if finalized this week.

It’s a homecoming for the 6-foot-6 forward, who joins another local product in Larry Nance Jr. as a Cavalier with Akron roots.