Nikola Topić Cleared for NBA Debut as Thunder Face Bucks Before All-Star Break
There’s a new name to watch in Oklahoma City - and it’s one fans have been waiting a long time to see in a Thunder jersey. Nikola Topić, the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is officially available for Thursday night’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. For the first time all season, Topić was not listed on the league’s injury report, signaling the potential for his long-awaited NBA debut.
It’s been a road full of challenges for the 20-year-old Serbian guard. After being drafted in the first round by the Thunder, Topić missed the start of his rookie season due to a torn ACL.
Then came another setback - a diagnosis of testicular cancer before the 2025-26 campaign even tipped off. But now, after months of recovery and rehab, Topić is back in the mix and ready to contribute.
He’s already made his return to the court with the OKC Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate, where he recently dropped 22 points in a game earlier this week. That performance was more than just a stat line - it was a statement.
Topić showed the kind of poise and offensive skill that made him a lottery pick in the first place. His combination of size, court vision, and scoring ability gives Oklahoma City yet another intriguing backcourt piece.
If he steps on the floor Thursday night, it’ll mark his first official NBA action. And it could come against a familiar face - former Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng, who was dealt earlier this season and now suits up for Milwaukee.
But it’s not just about Topić. The Thunder are heading into this game shorthanded.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams - the team’s two offensive engines - are both sidelined. Williams re-aggravated his right hamstring in Wednesday’s win over the Suns, and he’ll sit this one out.
That leaves a significant scoring and playmaking void in the lineup.
Also out: Isaiah Hartenstein, Ajay Mitchell, and Branden Carlson. Mitchell, a second-round pick from the same 2024 class as Topić, has carved out a steady role in the rotation this season. His absence, along with the others, means more minutes are up for grabs - and Topić could be one of the beneficiaries.
With the All-Star break looming, this game offers a glimpse into the Thunder’s depth and development. It’s a chance to see how the team’s young core responds to adversity - and how a player like Topić, who’s already overcome more than most rookies ever face, can begin to carve out his place at the NBA level.
Keep an eye on No. 12. His story is just getting started.