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When Texas Tech loses to Arizona State, JT Toppin leaves the game due to a leg injury

The Red Raiders struggled on the road against Arizona State, and one of their star players went down with an injury.

Forward JT Toppin went down with an apparent leg injury late in the second half of Tuesday’s matchup. Toppin was going up for a basket before he landed awkwardly near the baseline at Mullett Arena.

It’s unclear if Toppin knocked knees with an Arizona State defender or went down with a non-contact injury. He grabbed at his right knee before a Texas Tech trainer and head coach Grant McCasland helped him to the sideline.

Toppin, an Oak Cliff Faith Family product, spent a brief moment on the bench before he was helped back to the locker room. He was putting very little weight on his right leg as he went back.

Sports Roundup

Texas Tech Red Raiders suffered a tough setback after a 72–67 loss to Arizona State Sun Devils, but the bigger concern came late in the game when star forward JT Toppin left the court with a leg injury.

Toppin, one of the Red Raiders’ most important contributors this season, appeared to suffer the injury during a physical sequence in the closing minutes. He went down after contact near the basket and was slow to get up, eventually needing assistance as he made his way to the locker room. The atmosphere inside the arena shifted immediately, with teammates and coaches visibly concerned.

Before exiting, Toppin had been a key presence on both ends of the floor, contributing points in the paint, rebounding, and defensive energy. His absence in the final stretch made it more difficult for Texas Tech to keep pace with Arizona State, which closed out the game with timely scoring and solid defense.

The Sun Devils capitalized on turnovers and hit crucial shots in the final minutes to secure the five-point victory. The loss adds pressure to Texas Tech’s schedule, but the team’s primary focus now turns to Toppin’s health.

Head coach and team officials did not provide an immediate update after the game, and the severity of the injury remains unclear. Further evaluation is expected, and the program will likely release more information in the coming days.

If Toppin is forced to miss extended time, it could significantly impact Texas Tech’s momentum, especially as the season enters a critical stretch. The Red Raiders have relied heavily on his scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility throughout the year.

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Toppin has been Texas Tech’s star player for the past two seasons. He is averaging 21.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in 2025-26.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Find more Texas Tech coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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