Connect with us

Sports

Thunder Guard Nikola Topić Undergoes Testicular Procedure, Out for Weeks

Published

on

Nikola Topic Basketball Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City, OK — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topić has undergone a testicular procedure and will be reevaluated in four to six weeks, the team announced Monday. This news follows a challenging 2024-25 season for the young player.

Topić, selected by the Thunder as the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, struggled with injury issues last season, including a torn ACL that caused him to miss the entire year. During that time, the Thunder won their second championship since moving to Oklahoma City from Seattle.

This preseason, Topić showcased his potential at the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging a league-high 7.3 assists and 11.0 points per game. He made his Thunder preseason debut on Sunday, contributing 10 points, seven assists, and four rebounds against the opponent.

The team already has depth at point guard with capable players available to fill in during Topić’s absence. However, his injury poses a significant challenge for the Thunder as they prepare for the upcoming season.

With the Thunder’s regular season opener scheduled for October 21, Topić is expected to miss at least the first two weeks of competition. If he can return at the earlier end of his recovery timeline, it would still mean missing approximately 15 games.

This setback is particularly disappointing as Topić is viewed as an important part of the Thunder’s future. The team is also dealing with other injuries, including Kenrich Williams recovering from knee surgery and Thomas Sorber‘s recovery from a torn ACL, while Jalen Williams is still rehabbing from wrist surgery.