Pacers Edge Pelicans 123-120 Behind Toppin's 20 Points

The Indiana Pacers secured a narrow victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Basketball

Pacers Edge Pelicans 123-120 Behind Toppin's 20 Points

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The Indiana Pacers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 in a competitive matchup. Obi Toppin provided a critical spark for the Pacers, scoring 20 points during his 24 minutes on the court.

Why it matters

The win proved vital for Indiana, as injuries to Aaron Nesmith and T.J. McConnell necessitated significant adjustments to the team's rotation. Toppin stepped into an expanded role, helping the Pacers overcome bench depth issues caused by those absences and early foul trouble.

Obi Toppin shot 7-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-9 from three-point range. His performance helped stabilize the team despite a -133.3 net rating in one specific lineup alignment.

The players

Obi Toppin

An NBA player currently contributing as a versatile forward for the Indiana Pacers.

Coach Carlisle

The head coach for the Indiana Pacers responsible for managing the team's tactical rotations.

Aaron Nesmith

An Indiana Pacers player currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

T.J. McConnell

A veteran Indiana Pacers guard who is currently managing a hamstring injury.

The details

Coach Carlisle utilized Toppin as a versatile backup center in the second half, in addition to his standard duties at power forward and small forward. This tactical shift allowed the team to maintain offensive production throughout the second half.

October 22, 2026: The Indiana Pacers played the New Orleans Pelicans.

Season Trajectory

This win keeps the Pacers competitive in the standings while showcasing the depth of their roster during a period of injury-related volatility. The victory reinforces Indiana's strategy of using versatile players like Toppin to maintain rotations when primary bench assets are unavailable.

The victory improves the Pacers' standing and relies on the continued output of Toppin, who remains a high-value asset for fantasy basketball participants. Investors in the team's success should monitor the recovery timelines for Nesmith and McConnell to gauge future rotation stability.

The takeaway

Versatile performances from reserve players often dictate the outcome of games during the early stages of a long NBA season. Relying on bench flexibility allows teams to secure necessary wins even when key rotation players are sidelined with injuries.