Nikola Topic is not on the Thunder‘s injury report for Thursday’s game vs. Milwaukee, which means he’ll be active to potentially make his NBA regular season debut, notes Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman (subscriber link).
The 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Topic missed the entire 2024/25 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. The Serbian point guard participated in 2025 Summer League, training camp, and part of the preseason, prior to being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Topic’s agent, Misko Raznatovic, announced at the beginning of January that his client had successfully completed chemotherapy to treat his cancer. Topic made his G League debut on Monday and played in the second of a back-to-back on Tuesday, averaging 14.5 points, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steal on .588/.556/.667 shooting in 17.9 minutes per game.
As Martinez writes, Topic will likely be on a minutes restriction on Thursday, but there’s a decent chance he could play with the Thunder shorthanded; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Jalen Williams (hamstring strain) and Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain, left ankle sprain) are all injured.
More importantly, Thursday represents a significant milestone in the 20-year-old’s recovery from a serious illness.
I’m very interested to see what this kid has at the NBA level. Should play right away with Williams out again.
Hard to imagine a tougher start to a professional sports career. Torn ACL so you miss your rookie year. Even worse than that, dealing with cancer as you’re trying to make a comeback. Hope thats the end of the difficulties he has to deal with and that he can just focus on balling now.
Seriously! His accolades will always say 2025 champion, so that’s a plus for him in hindsight
Great to see this. Didn’t think we’d see him this year.
Best of luck Nikola …….