Toppin isn't in the starting five for Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Heat.
Julius Randle will replace Toppin in the starting lineup Tuesday after missing Game 1 with an ankle injury. Toppin averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 assists in 17.2 minutes across five games coming off the bench in the Knicks' first-round matchup with the Cavaliers.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Solid effort in spot start
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Toppin registered 18 points (7-15 FG, 4-11 3Pt), eight rebounds and one steal in 31 minutes during Sunday's 108-101 loss to the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Toppin replaced Julius Randle (ankle) in the starting lineup and ended with a relatively strong line. There is no word on whether Randle will continue to miss time moving forward. However, should that be the case, Toppin figures to feature heavily as the Knicks look to wrestle back the advantage over a dogged Heat outfit.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Draws start sans Randle
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Toppin will start Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Heat on Sunday, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
Toppin will move into the starting lineup in place of Julius Randle, who's been ruled out after tweaking his ankle during the Knicks' close-out Game 5 win over Cleveland. Through five playoff contests, Toppin has averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 17.2 minutes per game.
Toppin will be on the bench for Game 1 against the Cavaliers on Saturday, Joe Gabriele of the Cavaliers' official site reports.
Toppin moves back to the bench with Julius Randle (ankle) available and ready to start. Toppin saw extended minutes as Randle's replacement in the final five games of the regular season and averaged 21.8 points with 3.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest, but he's slated to see a lesser role in the second unit. He averaged just 6.3 points and 2.8 rebounds across 62 bench appearances during the regular season.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Erupts for 34 in Sunday's loss
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Toppin had 34 points (13-23 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and two steals across 37 minutes during Sunday's 141-136 loss to Indiana.
Making his fifth straight start, Toppin set a season high with 34 points during the Knicks' regular-season finale. The third-year forward has displayed the upside that made him the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft over the last couple weeks, averaging 21.8 points during his latest starting stint, and he might remain in the starting five to begin the Knicks' first-round series against the Cavaliers if Julius Randle (ankle) isn't yet 100 percent.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Tops 30 points for first time
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Toppin chipped in 32 points (11-18 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six assists, three rebounds and one steal across 43 minutes during Wednesday's 138-129 victory over the Pacers.
Toppin starred in the final week of the 2021-22 regular season with 42- and 35-point performances in the Knicks' last two games, and he's making a run at repeating that trend in 2022-23. After scoring a season-high 21 points in Sunday's win over the Wizards, Toppin was able to raise his production higher while taking on a shorthanded Pacers roster. The 25-year-old should continue to start at power forward over the Knicks' final two games of the regular season while Julius Randle (ankle) is sidelined, though he could lose out on at least a few shot attempts if distributor Jalen Brunson (hand) misses additional time. Regardless, Toppin's minutes appear to be secure sans Randle, making him a strong streaming option no matter who else is available for the Knicks.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Tops 20 points for first time
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Toppin registered 21 points (9-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt), one rebound, four assists, one block and two steals across 33 minutes during Sunday's 118-109 victory over the Wizards.
With Julius Randle (ankle) out for the rest of the regular season, Toppin has gotten two straight starts. He delivered with a season-high 21 points Sunday. With a few threes, assists and steals, the 2020 first-round pick was an all-around performer for the Knicks. In his two starts, Toppin is averaging 16.5 points with 2.5 made triples. If you are looking for some help in the final week of the season, Toppin looks to have an elevated role.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Getting the start Friday
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Toppin will enter the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cavaliers, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.
Julius Randle (sprained left ankle) will be re-evaluated in two weeks, leaving the door open for Toppin to play a massive role for the remainder of the regular season. Fantasy managers looking for a boost in scoring, rebounding and playmaking would be wise to scoop him up off the waiver wire.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Scores 12 points in start
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Toppin amassed 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt), one rebound and one assist in 19 minutes during Friday's 130-116 win over the Cavaliers.
This was Toppin's first start of the season, as Julius Randle (ankle) is set to miss the next couple weeks. Toppin was really strong in 10 starts last season, averaging 20.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 three-pointers. Toppin was more of a spectator while Jalen Brunson poured in 48 points Friday night, but we'd expect him to be more involved in the next contest.
Toppin closed with 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-8 3Pt), two rebounds and one block in 20 minutes during Monday's 137-115 victory over the Rockets.
After four straight single-digit scoring outings, Toppin popped for 15 points Monday, marking his highest-scoring night since Nov. 7. Toppin's role in the Knicks' rotation is stable, but his production is too sporadic to trust on a daily basis. Over 13 March appearances, he's averaging 6.2 points in 12.8 minutes.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Pops for 10 points in loss
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Toppin closed Saturday's 106-95 loss to the Clippers with 10 points (4-9 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes.
Toppin scored in double-digits for the first time in almost a month, a reflection of how underwhelming his season has been. Despite having some clear upside, Toppin's role is typically limited to no more than 15 minutes per night. While his long-term appeal remains intact, his ROS value is basically non-existent at this point.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Scores nine points in 12 minutes
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Toppin contributed nine points (3-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds across 12 minutes during Monday's 109-94 victory over the Celtics.
Toppin continues to play around 15 minutes per game, which limits his overall fantasy value, and even when he makes an impression on the game, it's hardly ever prolific. He's appeared in 23 straight contests and has scored in double figures just three times during that stretch, posting 4.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game.
Knicks' Obi Toppin: Scores eight points in 12 minutes
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Toppin posted eight points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt), one rebound and one assist over 12 minutes during Saturday's 134-128 overtime loss to the Clippers.
Toppin continues to play a limited role off the bench, logging fewer than 15 minutes for the 12th time in his past 14 games. Despite having a somewhat fantasy-friendly game, Toppin is buried behind Julius Randle at this point. Tom Thibodeau is very stubborn when it comes to utilizing his bench, meaning Toppin is destined to remain in a muted role, barring an injury to Randle.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Efficient off bench
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Toppin finished with 11 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds across 10 minutes during Tuesday's 105-103 win over Cleveland.
The third-year forward continues to see minimal court time behind the red-hot Julius Randle, but Toppin has scored in double digits in back-to-back games while going 6-for-8 from three-point range. In nine games since recovering from a lower-leg injury and rejoining the Knicks' frontcourt rotation, Toppin is averaging 5.0 points, 2.4 boards and 1.1 threes in only 11.1 minutes a night.
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Knicks' Obi Toppin: Maintains modest role behind Randle
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Toppin scored five points (1-3 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and added two rebounds, two assists and one steal in nine minutes during Wednesday's 119-113 win over the Pacers.
Making his second appearance since sitting out for around a month due to a fractured fibula, Toppin once again held a limited role behind starting power forward Julius Randle. Though Toppin has shown the ability to put up interesting counting stats on the rare occasions he's received extended run during his career, his opportunities are likely to remain minimal while Randle and starting center Mitchell Robinson are healthy and producing well for the Knicks, who have won five of their last six games.
