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.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Assigned to G League
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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.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Scores two points in NBA debut
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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.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Available to debut Thursday
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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.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Ramping up in G League
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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.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Out for at least four weeks
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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.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Fares well in start
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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.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Takes seat vs. New Orleans
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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.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Progressing in Summer League
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Topic recorded 18 points (7-18 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six assists, four rebounds and one steal across 30 minutes in Thursday's 90-81 Summer League win over the Nets.
Topic found more of a rhythm Thursday, knocking down a pair of threes after struggling with his shot earlier in Summer League play, shooting a combined 5-for-25 from the field and 0-for-11 from three over games Monday and Tuesday. The Thunder appear committed to giving the young guard extended run this summer as they assess the kind of role he might carve out within the team's rotation for the 2025-26 season.
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Thunder's Nikola Topic: Debuts in Salt Lake City
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Topic (knee) recorded 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-4 3Pt), four assists, two steals and one rebound across 26 minutes of Saturday's 92-80 loss to the Grizzlies in the Salt Lake City Summer League.
The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic didn't play for the Thunder this past season while completing his recovery from the surgery he underwent last July to repair a torn ACL. Topic was given a clean bill of health ahead of the start of the Salt Lake City Summer League, and the 19-year-old looks like he'll be given the keys to the Oklahoma City offense throughout the summer slate. The 6-foot-6 guard showcased some intriguing playmaking skills in his debut Saturday, though he committed seven turnovers in that contest. If Topic can clean up the mistakes and prove that he can effectively direct the offense over the remainder of the summer and during training camp, he could open his rookie season as the top backup to reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
