Thunder’s 2024 Lottery Pick Nikola Topic Cleared for NBA Debut After Battling ACL Tear, Cancer Diagnosis
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the league’s most consistent forces over the past year, stacking wins and building chemistry with a young, dynamic core. But tucked behind that success story is another, more personal one-one that’s about perseverance, resilience, and a long-awaited opportunity.
Nikola Topic, the Thunder’s 2024 lottery pick, is finally available to make his NBA debut Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks. And while his name may have faded into the background for some fans-overshadowed by OKC’s rise and the nonstop churn of the NBA calendar-his journey to this moment is nothing short of extraordinary.
A Promising Prospect Sidelined Before He Could Start
Topic, drafted 12th overall in 2024, entered the league with high expectations. At just 18 years old, the Serbian guard was viewed as a high-upside international prospect-skilled, poised, and capable of adding even more depth to a Thunder roster already brimming with young talent.
But before he could even suit up for his first NBA game, Topic suffered a torn ACL. That injury alone is a major hurdle for any player, let alone a teenager just beginning his professional career.
The rehab process is long, grueling, and often as much mental as it is physical. For Topic, it meant his rookie season would be spent on the sidelines, watching and waiting.
And just when it looked like he was nearing the finish line, life threw him another curveball.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis
In the final stages of his ACL recovery, with the 2025-26 season on the horizon, Topic was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It was a stunning development-one that shifted the conversation from basketball to something far more serious.
For a player who hadn’t even turned 20 yet, the diagnosis was devastating. But Topic didn’t fold.
He underwent chemotherapy and began the fight of his life-off the court, this time. And once again, he battled back.
The good news: he responded well to treatment. And once cleared, he returned to practice and began the slow, deliberate process of working himself back into game shape.
Steps Toward the Big Stage
Recently, Topic took a major step forward by logging minutes with the Thunder’s G-League affiliate. It wasn’t just about shaking off rust-it was about proving he could move, compete, and contribute at a high level after nearly 18 months away from competitive basketball.
And he did just that. His G-League stint was a success, and it earned him a call-up.
Now, ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Bucks, Topic is officially available to play. There’s no guarantee he’ll get minutes-rotations are tight, and OKC is in the thick of the Western Conference race-but just being active is a milestone worth celebrating.
Bigger Than Basketball
This moment isn’t just about a debut-it’s about everything that came before it. Two major health battles before the age of 20.
A lost rookie season. A cancer diagnosis.
Months of rehab. And through it all, Topic stayed locked in, determined to make it back.
The Thunder have built a culture around player development, patience, and long-term vision. Topic’s story fits right into that mold. He may not have taken the court yet, but his presence in the locker room and his commitment behind the scenes haven’t gone unnoticed.
Now, he’s on the cusp of writing the next chapter-this time, on the hardwood.
Whether or not he sees the floor Thursday night, Nikola Topic’s return is a reminder that sometimes, the biggest victories happen long before the final buzzer sounds.