The Texas Tech Red Raiders are currently holding their collective breath following a potentially season-altering injury to star forward JT Toppin. On February 17, 2026, during a narrow 72–67 road loss to Arizona State, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year went down with a non-contact right knee injury that has Lubbock fearing the worst.

The Moment the Season Shifted

With roughly six minutes remaining in the second half, Toppin—who was already dominating with 20 points and eight rebounds—drove to the basket and collapsed in a heap.

The "No-Contact" Scare: Replays showed Toppin's knee buckling without any significant impact from a defender. In sports medicine, the "no-contact" label is often a precursor to an ACL or ligament tear.

The Exit: Toppin was visibly in pain, clutching his right knee and needing assistance from two trainers to limp to the locker room. He did not return to the game, and the 13th-ranked Red Raiders looked noticeably "shaken," surrendering an 8–0 run immediately after his departure.

The Impact of the "Toppin-less" Raiders

If Toppin is lost for the remainder of the 2026 season, it isn't just a blow; it's a structural collapse for a team eyeing a No. 1 seed.

Unmatched Production: Toppin is the engine of the offense, averaging 21.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He is one of only three players in the country currently averaging a double-double in a high-major conference.

The Defensive Anchor: Beyond the scoring, he leads the Big 12 in blocks (1.7 per game). Without him, the interior defense becomes a glaring weakness for Coach Grant McCasland.

What’s Next?

As of February 18, 2026, the school has not released the official MRI results, but McCasland’s post-game demeanor was somber, stating, "He’s such a competitor... it’s hard to say until we get it looked at closely."

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