This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Topic won't start in Sunday's Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against Phoenix, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Topic started in Oklahoma City's final two games of the regular season, most recently recording 18 points, four rebounds and 14 assists across 39 minutes versus the Suns last Sunday. With the Thunder's starters healthy to begin the playoffs, Topic will move back to the bench while potentially dropping out of the rotation altogether.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Dishes 14 dimes
Rotowire
Topic supplied 18 points (8-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-3 FT), 14 assists and four rebounds in 39 minutes during Sunday's 135-103 loss to the Suns.
Starting his second consecutive game to close the regular season, Topic recorded his second double-double in as many outings, though it came in a lopsided loss. He's unlikely to see much playing time in the playoffs, but Topic's potential is clear, and the 20-year-old's return to action late in the campaign is a major positive after being sidelined while undergoing treatment for testicular cancer.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Double-doubles in spot start
Rotowire
Topic accumulated 14 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two rebounds, 11 assists and four steals in 39 minutes during Friday's 127-107 loss to the Nuggets.
Topic made the first start of his career, recording his first double-double while also adding a career-high four steals. Although his role remains limited on most nights, the upside is clear. The Thunder has nothing to play for in Sunday regular-season finale, meaning Topic could once again find himself serving as the starting point guard.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Making first NBA start Friday
Rotowire
Topic is in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Nuggets on Friday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
The Thunder are resting multiple starters and key rotational players for Friday's game, so Topic will start for the first time in his NBA career. He appeared in three of the Thunder's last four games and averaged 1.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds over 10.0 minutes per game over that span.
The Thunder recalled Topic from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Tuesday, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.
Oklahoma City won't play again until Thursday versus the Celtics, but it's unclear if Topic will end up remaining with the team for that contest. The 2024 first-round pick has averaged 3.2 points, 2.0 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game through his first five NBA appearances but hasn't been included in the rotation in any of the Thunder's last six contests.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Recalled by G League
Rotowire
The Thunder recalled Topic from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Saturday, Rylan Stiles of SI.com reports.
Topic will rejoin the parent club after suiting up earlier Saturday in the Blue's 123-117 loss to the Texas Legends, finishing with 28 points (11-15 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block in 28 minutes. While he'll be available for the Thunder for their matchup with the Warriors later Saturday, Topic isn't expected to see extended playing time off the bench after having already logged a heavy workload in the G League just hours earlier.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Returns from G League
Rotowire
The Thunder recalled Topic from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Friday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Topic presumably took part in practice with the Blue earlier in the day before rejoining the parent club. The 2024 first-round pick will provide depth out of the backcourt for Friday's game against the Nuggets but may find himself outside of the rotation with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) set to return to action.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Assigned to G League
Rotowire
Oklahoma City assigned Topic to the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Friday, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.
With the Thunder getting healthier, Topic will struggle to find consistent minutes at the NBA level. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft should be a featured player for the Blue after making his NBA regular-season debut and appearing in five straight games while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) was sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Scores two points in NBA debut
Rotowire
Topic (illness) supplied two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt), one rebound and one assist across 12 minutes during Thursday's 110-93 loss to Milwaukee.
Topic played in one preseason contest this season before undergoing surgery in October to treat testicular cancer, so after playing in a pair of G League games earlier this week as part of his ramp-up process, it was a major success to see him back on the court Thursday in his NBA debut. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic is a talented young guard, but he faces a tough path to consistent minutes in a crowded Thunder backcourt.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Available to debut Thursday
Rotowire
Topic (illness) is available for Thursday's game against the Bucks, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Topic played in one preseason contest this season before undergoing surgery to treat testicular cancer. He made his return to game action in the G League, logging 17 minutes off the bench Monday in the Oklahoma City Blue's 137-135 overtime win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce, finishing with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt), seven assists and one rebound. With the Thunder shorthanded for their final game before the All-Star break, Topic should make his NBA regular-season debut and could play a sizable role in the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Plays in G League game
Rotowire
Topic (illness) logged 17 minutes off the bench Monday in the G League Oklahoma City Blue's 137-135 overtime win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce, finishing with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt), seven assists and one rebound.
The 17-minute outing marked Topic's first appearance in a game since the preseason, when he played in one game before undergoing surgery in early October to treat testicular cancer. The 20-year-old made a swift recovery following chemotherapy and had been ramping up his activity over the last few weeks before he was cleared to resume practicing with the Blue over the weekend. Topic will likely need more time to regain full conditioning, but if all goes well in his subsequent G League appearances, he looks like he'll be ready to join the Thunder at some point shortly after the All-Star break. The No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic is still waiting to make his NBA debut after missing the entire 2024-25 season while recovering from an ACL tear.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Ramping up in G League
Rotowire
The Thunder assigned Topic (illness) to the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday.
Topic has been sidelined all season after undergoing testicular surgery in October and later being diagnosed with cancer, but he's made excellent progress in his recovery. Back on Dec. 31, his agent said in an interview with Andriana Rankovic of Sportal.blic.rs that the 20-year-old successfully completed chemotherapy, and Topic has seemingly responded well since ramping up his workouts over the ensuing weeks. Topic now appears poised to resume taking part in practices in the G League, and if all goes well, the young guard could be cleared to eventually play in games with the Blue and potentially the Thunder before the end of the season, per Clemente Almanza of USA Today. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic missed the entire 2024-25 season while recovering from a torn ACL, but he returned to action for the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues and also appeared in one preseason game in October before his cancer diagnosis.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Diagnosed with cancer
Rotowire
Topic has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, Thunder general manager Sam Presti announced Thursday, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.
According to Presti, his doctors are "extremely positive" about his long-term outlook, but this is obviously an unfortunate situation for the young guard. There is no timetable for Topic's return, but the Thunder will likely provide more clarity in the near future. Ajay Mitchell has been filling in as Oklahoma City's backup point guard to open the season.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Option picked up
Rotowire
Topic (groin) had his $5.43 million team option exercised for the 2026-27 season Sunday.
Topic remains out indefinitely while recovering from testicular surgery, but the Thunder view him as a long-term piece and exercised his $5.43 million option for next season. The 2024 first-round pick missed all of last year recovering from a torn ACL but flashed promise during 2025 Summer League action.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Out for at least four weeks
Rotowire
Topic will be re-evaluated in 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing testicular surgery Monday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Topic missed the entire 2024-25 season with a torn ACL, and now the start of his 2025-26 campaign will be delayed. He was in the running to be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's top backup at point guard, so Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso will all be tasked to help pick up the slack in the backcourt while Topic is out of action.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Fares well in start
Rotowire
Topic logged 10 points (4-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven assists, four rebounds and one steal in 31 minutes of Sunday's 135-114 preseason win over the Hornets.
With the Thunder resting their starters to open the preseason, Topic started at point guard and fared really well. Topic missed the entire 2024-25 season with a torn ACL, so the fact that he was able to log 31 minutes Sunday suggests that the Thunder feel confident in his recovery. Topic is the favorite to back up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this season.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
Topic will start in Sunday's preseason game against the Hornets, James Plowright of CLTure.org reports.
With the team resting its usual starters, Topic will get the starting nod in Oklahoma City's preseason opener. The 20-year-old missed the entire 2024-25 campaign due to a torn ACL, but he has a chance to carve out a meaningful role off the bench this season.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Doesn't play Saturday
Rotowire
Topic (rest) did not appear in Saturday's 109-80 Summer League loss to the Hornets.
Topic ended up missing the Thunder's final two Summer League games after seeing significant minutes earlier in the stretch. The guard missed the entire 2024-25 season while recovering from a torn ACL and will aim to carve out a role as a reserve in 2025-26.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Takes seat vs. New Orleans
Rotowire
Topic (rest) didn't play in Wednesday's 95-81 Summer League win over the Pelicans.
Topic entered Wednesday with five Summer League outings under his belt this year, so it's possible the Thunder wanted to give him the night off. While the 2024 first-rounder doesn't appear likely to handle a significant role for the defending-champion Thunder to begin the 2025-26 season, Topic has flashed some two-way ability with averages of 10.8 points, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game over his five appearances this summer.
1:31
1:48
1:16
1:05
1:16
1:03
12:36
1:54
1:07
1:44
1:36
1:12
12:18
0:43
0:40
1:44
1:55
1:31
1:52
3:39
