Nikola Topić Makes Emotional Thunder Debut Amid Short-Handed Loss to Bucks
Thunder rookie Nikola Topić checks in for his first official NBA game 🙌
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 13, 2026
Topić overcame a torn ACL and testicular cancer before being able to make it into an NBA game 👏
(via @Joe_Sway) pic.twitter.com/Qrc2Pc2Za2
It’s been a long road for Nikola Topić, but on Thursday night in Oklahoma City, the Thunder faithful finally got to witness the young guard take his first official steps onto an NBA court. And while the scoreboard didn’t favor the home team, the moment was bigger than the game.
Topić, the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, made his long-awaited debut against the Milwaukee Bucks after a brutal stretch that kept him sidelined for over a year. A torn ACL wiped out his entire rookie season, and as if that wasn’t enough, he faced another battle off the court-undergoing treatment for testicular cancer during the early part of this campaign. But on Thursday, all of that was behind him.
When he checked in, the crowd at Paycom Center let him hear it. The applause wasn’t just for a player making his debut-it was for a young man who fought through injury, illness, and uncertainty to get back to doing what he loves.
Topić didn’t light up the box score, but he didn’t need to. He got his first NBA bucket, grabbed a rebound, and dished out an assist.
More importantly, he looked like he belonged. The rust is understandable, but the poise was there.
As for the game itself, the Thunder were up against it from the jump. Missing both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams due to injury, Oklahoma City lacked their usual offensive firepower and fell 110-93 to a Bucks team that controlled all four quarters.
Still, there were a few bright spots. Isaiah Joe stepped up as the team’s leading scorer, putting up 17 points on an efficient 5-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-9 from deep. He also added four rebounds and two assists, showing once again that he can be a reliable contributor when called upon.
Chet Holmgren continued to do what he does-impact the game on both ends. The rookie big man tallied 16 points and pulled down 13 boards, flashing the kind of versatility that has made him a key piece of the Thunder’s rise this season.
Jared McCain chipped in with 13 points and three rebounds, while Luguentz Dort, Kenrich Williams, and Alex Caruso each added nine points. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Milwaukee’s depth and execution.
Despite the loss, the Thunder head into the All-Star break with a 42-14 record, still sitting atop the Western Conference standings. They hold a three-game lead over the surging San Antonio Spurs and are 6.5 games ahead of the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
Now, it’s time for a much-needed breather. With All-Star Weekend set to take over Los Angeles, the Thunder will get a chance to rest, reset, and gear up for the final stretch of the regular season. They’ll be back in action on Feb. 20, hosting the Brooklyn Nets in what should be a lively return to the hardwood.
But for now, the story is Nikola Topić. His debut wasn’t about stats or standings-it was about resilience, perseverance, and the kind of moment that reminds us why we love this game.