Knicks fans chant salute Toppin with chants of ‘Obi!’ during playoff victory

» EARLIER COVERAGE: Knicks experts praise Toppin’s progress during rookie season

Toppin brought the crowd to its feet with an alley-oop dunk off a pass from fellow rookie Immanuel Quickley in the fourth quarter. Fans chanted “Obi! Obi!” The TV camera then focused on Roni Toppin’s, Obi’s mom, who had tears in her eyes. She was wearing a Dayton jersey with Toppin’s name and number on it.

“Obi played very well,’' Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. “Quick didn’t shoot well. Overall, he and Quick are giving us a lot for two rookies to be playing in these playoffs, doing what they’re doing. I’m very pleased with them. There’s a big upside to both guys. They’ve been terrific since they got here.’'

» PHOTOS: Toppin’s rookie season

Toppin also contributed in limited in minutes in Game 1 of the series, scoring five points on 2-of-3 shooting in 12 minutes. The Knicks lost 107-105.

Toppin, the No. 8 pick in the 2020 draft, averaged 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 11 minutes per game for the Knicks in 62 regular-season games.