Sports
Thunder Heads to Finals, Welcomes New Star Next Season

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma City Thunder have secured a place in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, after defeating their opponents 124-94 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. This team has been the most dominant in the league during the regular season and continues to shine in the playoffs.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the newly crowned league MVP and Western Conference finals MVP, the Thunder have shown exceptional skill and teamwork. Young stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren also contribute to the team’s success, giving the franchise a strong chance at winning its first championship while based in Oklahoma City.
However, the Thunder might not be finished improving. Next season, they will welcome Serbian point guard Nikola Topic, the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, who is expected to make his debut after recovering from ACL surgery.
Topic, who stands 6 feet 6 inches tall, was considered one of the best European players in the ABA League before his injury. Fans and analysts are eager to see how he will perform in the NBA and how he will complement the existing roster. Zach Lowe, a sports analyst from The Ringer, expressed excitement about Topic’s potential on social media.
“Once a day or so I remember the Thunder have Nikola Topic just waiting to play his first NBA minutes next season,” Lowe noted, while optimistic fans discuss how the talented newcomer might blend with current players to create a strong backcourt.
While Topic’s impact remains uncertain until he steps onto the court, Thunder general manager Sam Presti believes that he has the talent to elevate the team further. If everything goes well, the Thunder could not only celebrate a championship this year but also aim for even greater success next season.
With Topic joining an already impressive lineup, the rest of the league could be in for a challenge.