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Obi Toppin · On a night remembered for its big-time shots and historic performances, it was the bucket made by Obi Toppin that mattered most. Already solidified with an impressive double-double, the first-year Indiana Pacers forward finds himself in the perfect place at the perfect time, creeping in closer and closer after the Pacers’ first two attempts to break the late-game tie prove unsuccessful. Stepping in to corral a loose ball after it takes a prosperous bounce in his direction, Toppin eases into the paint floating a game-clinching, left-handed layup off the glass and through the net to open a two-point lead with just three seconds to go. In need of a major counter to offset the efforts of the Phoenix Suns’ star-studded offense, Toppin picked an ideal night to compile one of his season’s top performances, tallying up 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, keying a victory on January 26, 2024. · State of Mint