Nikola Topić Debuts for Thunder After Knee Injury and Cancer

Oklahoma City, Okla. — Nikola Topić, the 20-year-old Serbian guard selected 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 NBA Draft, made his long-awaited NBA debut Thursday night after overcoming a knee injury and testicular cancer treatment.

The 6-foot-6 point guard entered the game against the Milwaukee Bucks with 1:55 remaining in the first quarter, drawing a standing ovation from the home crowd at Paycom Center. On his first possession, Topić delivered a pass to forward Jaylin Williams, who converted a floater in the lane for the rookie's initial NBA assist. Minutes later, with nine minutes left in the second quarter, Topić scored his first career basket on a midrange pull-up jumper from near the free-throw line.

Topić's path to this moment spanned nearly two years of setbacks. He suffered a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee just before the draft, sidelining him for the entire 2024-25 season. After participating in summer league and training camp the following summer, he appeared in the Thunder's preseason opener in October 2025 but soon required a medical procedure. The team later disclosed a diagnosis of testicular cancer, leading to...