Obi Toppin’s Overtime Heroics Lift Short-Handed Pacers Over Timberwolves, 132-130

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Obi Toppin drilled his fourth three-pointer of overtime with just 3.5 seconds remaining, propelling the short-handed Indiana Pacers to a thrilling 132-130 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. The win snapped Minnesota’s eight-game winning streak.

Toppin delivered a season-high 34 points, knocking down 7 of 10 shots from beyond the arc, as Indiana overcame the absence of its top six scorers in crunch time. The Pacers were already missing four starters, then lost Andrew Nembhard to an ejection in the third quarter and saw Bennedict Mathurin foul out in the fourth.

Despite the adversity, Indiana found a way to win. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards poured in 38 points, including 29 after halftime, and had his team up by five with a minute left in overtime. But Thomas Bryant drained a clutch three-pointer, Edwards missed a deep shot, and Toppin responded with his game-winner. At the buzzer, Julius Randle’s fadeaway attempt came up short.

T.J. McConnell contributed 11 points and 13 assists for the Pacers, including the game-tying layup with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation.

With Pascal Siakam (personal), Tyrese Haliburton (back), Aaron Nesmith (ankle), and Myles Turner (hip) all sitting out before a five-game homestand, Indiana’s bench stepped up and played with pace and confidence. The Pacers now sit just one game behind Milwaukee for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

For Minnesota, this could be a costly loss in a tightly contested Western Conference playoff race. Edwards, who had scored 41 points against Utah the night before, brought energy despite struggling with his shot—going just 1-for-11 from three-point range.

Tensions flared in the third quarter when Nembhard caught Mike Conley with an elbow while driving to the basket, only to be met by Rudy Gobert’s shoulder check. Frustrated, Nembhard threw the ball at Gobert, earning his second technical foul after a replay review. The home crowd erupted as the Timberwolves, down 66-58 at the time, tried to rally.

Up Next

Indiana returns home to face Dallas on Wednesday, while Minnesota will host New Orleans on both Wednesday and Friday.