Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are 31-7 through their first 38 games in 2025-26. That is the top record in the Western Conference by four and a half games.
In his second season, one Thunder player is still waiting to make his NBA debut. That would be the 12th pick of the 2024 NBA draft, Nikola Topic, out of Serbia. The 20-year-old has had a massive delay in the start of his professional career. Topic suffered a season-ending injury before his rookie year. Additionally, Topic was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October. Recently, his agent announced that Nikola has completed chemotherapy and can “return to the training process.”
Nikola Topic has reached a massive milestone in his recovery
Thunder forward Nikola Topić has completed chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer at the beginning of the season, agent Miško Ražnatović told @SportalSrbija.
Ražnatović hopes Topić can return to the G League and NBA this season. pic.twitter.com/wZZRPimz3Y
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 8, 2026
The start to Nikola Topic’s career has been a whirlwind. Before he was drafted by the Thunder, Topic played in the ABA for Red Star Belgrade. In January 2024, Topic first injured his knee and was sidelined for a few months. His team in the League Finals in May 2024 and Topic made his return. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL, and that would significantly impact his rookie season.
Topić was still drafted 12th overall by the Thunder. Oklahoma City knew he would need a full season to be ready for 2025-26. However, the 20-year-old’s season was delayed by a cancer diagnosis. Nikola Topic had testicular cancer, but he immediately had a procedure done and started chemotherapy. That’s left Topic out for the past few months. He recently received a positive update from his doctors.
Nikola Topić has finished his chemotherapy treatment, per @SportalSrbija
He could return to the floor for the Thunder as early as this year. Incredible. ❤️
pic.twitter.com/l2Q1am2vc0— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 8, 2026
His agent, Misko Raznatovic, reported that Nikola Topic has completed his chemotherapy. Raznatovic noted that Topic will “return to the training process.” Additionally, he said that Topic stayed active even throughout the therapy. While there is no timeframe for his return, Nikola Topic might have an opportunity to make his NBA debut in 2025-26.
Skill level is not what has kept Nikola Topic off the court. That’s partly why he was drafted by the Thunder. He played two seasons professionally overseas before he was drafted to the NBA. Topić has a polished skillset compared to other rookies who enter the league. An injury and a cancer diagnosis have impacted the start of his career. The recent update from Topić’s manager is a positive sign moving forward. At some point, the 20-year-old will make his NBA debut.
