Obi Toppin opens up on the impact Tyrese Haliburton injury had on the Indiana Pacers in Game 7

Obi Toppin admits Tyrese Haliburton’s injury ‘sucked the soul’ out of the Indiana Pacers

Throughout the 2024-25 NBA season and the playoffs, Haliburton’s place among the league’s top stars has been questioned by the media.

However, Haliburton silenced the crowd with a sensational postseason run. Unfortunately, Hali’s sensational campaign ended with a freak injury.

The impact of the injury cannot be understated, as Game 6 hero Obi Toppin made a heartbreaking admission over it during the postgame locker room interview.

“We needed Ty out there. He’s been good for us all year and for him to go down at the beginning of the game like that, it sucked the soul out of us,” Toppin told WISH-TV News.

Toppin also added: “I ain’t going to say out of everybody. But I don’t feel like I played good because I was thinking about it the whole day and I felt like it was my fault.”

Obi Toppin struggled in the Game 7 loss

The biggest reason behind the Pacers making it to the 2025 NBA Finals was due to the contributions from their bench, which included Toppin.

The 27-year-old proved his worth during the Pacers’ phenomenal 108-91 Game 6 victory. Toppin contributed 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals off the bench.

While head coach Rick Carlisle needed similar production from him in Game 7, Toppin disappeared as he finished the night with 0 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist.

But fans, at least, now know the reason behind Toppin’s abysmal performance in the crushing 103-91 Game 7 defeat.