It’s the third quarter, 5:35 on the clock, and the Pacers are on the verge of turning this into a backyard blowout. The scoreboard screams 94-60, Donovan Mitchell is ice-cold at 3-for-11, and the Cavs look like they forgot to pack their offense. But forget the scoreline for a second, because Obi Toppin just hijacked the spotlight. In the thick of playoff chaos, Toppin pulled off a move that felt ripped straight from a VHS tape of the late ’70s. It was so smooth, so timeless, you’d swear Dr J. himself was somewhere grinning, nodding, and whispering, “That’s how you do it, young fella.”

Exactly 45 years later, history just looped back in Indiana.

According to a post by NBA History on X, while Julius Erving brought about his iconic circus finish in Game 4 of the 1980 NBA Finals, now, on the same day 45 years later “Obi Toppin pulls off a Dr. J-like reverse!”

Although Game 4 of the Pacers vs. Cavs didn’t have Obi Toppin facing a 7-foot-2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the paint, the echoes of history were hard to ignore. Back in 1980, with 7:05 left in the fourth quarter and the Sixers clinging to a slim lead, Julius Erving authored what’s still revered as the gold standard of reverse layups. Driving hard along the baseline, Dr. J defied gravity, wrapping himself under the backboard to shield the ball from both Mark Landsberger and Kareem, before uncorking the now-iconic reverse scoop with his right hand.

That moment, forever etched as the “Baseline Move” or simply “The Scoop,” wasn’t just a basket—it was an exhibition of creativity and body control that rewrote what was possible mid-air. It’s still enshrined among the Top 5 plays in NBA Finals history, inspiring generations of players, from playgrounds to the pros, to try and channel a little bit of Dr. J magic.

And now, exactly 45 years later, on the same date, Obi Toppin just pulled off the same move that made the basketball world collectively flash back to that unforgettable night in Philadelphia.

Obi Toppin Shines as Pacers Dominate Cavs in Game 4

And well, just like that, history had a déjà vu moment, with Indiana seemingly on track to copy the glory of Dr J’s scoop and victory from 1980.

Leading into Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, the hype was all about Cleveland. The Cavs, favored by 5.5 points, were riding high off a dominant Game 3 win and the return of Evan Mobley, who had been an absolute force. BetMGM even pegged them at -225 on the moneyline, making the Pacers an underdog at +185.

But then, as fate would have it, the basketball gods had other ideas.

After Stephen A. Smith lit a fire under Darius Garland on First Take, urging him to “limp yo a— out there” no matter what, Garland came to play. He posted 21 points, 6 assists, and shot 6-for-11 in just 27 minutes. Still, it wasn’t enough to save the Cavs, as Donovan Mitchell couldn’t find his rhythm, shooting just 3-for-11. With 5 minutes left and Indiana ahead 123-94, the outcome was clear: this one might just be over.

Indiana put on a clinic. They shot a scorching 52.9% from the field and drained 46.9% from three-point range. Obi Toppin was a standout, scoring 20 points in just 21 minutes of play on 9-for-14 shooting, proving to be a key factor in their dominant performance.

Meanwhile, Cleveland struggled at 40.7% and 34.4% from deep. Add 36 assists to the Pacers’ total and 35 points off turnovers, and it was a masterclass in dominance. A 44-point lead at one point wasn’t just a flex; it was a statement. Game. Set. Match.