Thunder's Nikola Topic Out At Least 4-6 Weeks After Testicular Surgery
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced Monday that guard Nikola Topić had a testicular procedure and will be re-evaluated in around 4-6 weeks, per NBA reporter Marc Stein.
The 20-year-old missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a torn ACL after being the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Topić probably wouldn't have played a huge role for the Thunder last year, with players like MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe ahead of him on the depth chart.
That's potentially the case this year, though Topić remains an intriguing talent.
As ESPN's Jeremy Woo wrote in July, Topić "flashed moments of his potential at summer league, showcasing his playmaking skills (averaging 7.3 assists over three games) and basketball IQ, and that skill set could help him carve out some backup minutes behind Gilgeous-Alexander. Whether he's a long-term rotation piece or ultimately winds up as more of a trade asset for the Thunder will play out over the next season or two, but he has had positive flashes and will be worth monitoring as the defending champs continue to evolve."
He certainly caught the eye of his teammates in training camp thus far.
"He's been good," Chet Holmgren told reporters last week. "Played pickup a couple times with him last week, it really stands out the way he sees the game. Even without the ball in his hands, the way he cuts. ... He's going to continue to improve very fast, he has a serious approach to the game."
"He's very fun to play with," Wallace added. "He's a great point guard, sees the floor very well, makes minimal mistakes."
Missing at least a month in the build-up to the 2025-26 season is hardly ideal then, especially after a lost rookie season. But it sounds as though Topić has some game, and it will be interesting to see if he can carve out a role for himself this season.
