Nikola Topic Shines in G League Return, Just Months After Cancer Battle
OKLAHOMA CITY - In just his second G League game, Nikola Topic didn’t just show up - he showed out.
Nikola Topić in the second G League game of his career:
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) February 11, 2026
22 PTS
7-12 FG
4-7 3PT
2-3 FT
4 AST
2 REB
2 STL
1 BLK
20 MIN
OKC Blue defeated the Sioux Falls Skyforce 127-118 pic.twitter.com/Wqzz0SW6D4
The Oklahoma City Thunder rookie poured in 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including a scorching 4-of-7 from three, to lead the Oklahoma City Blue to a 127-118 win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Tuesday at Paycom Center. Add in four assists, two rebounds, two steals, and a block - all in just 20 minutes - and it’s clear: Topic isn’t easing his way back into basketball. He’s attacking it head-on.
And that’s not just impressive. It’s inspiring.
Just a few months ago, Topic was facing a very different kind of battle. Diagnosed with testicular cancer in October, the 18-year-old Serbian guard underwent three rounds of chemotherapy.
That came after he’d already spent the previous year rehabbing from an ACL injury. In total, Topic had played very little competitive basketball over the last two years.
Asked Mark Daigneault about Nikola Topic playing for the OKC Blue tonight:
— Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) February 10, 2026
"Great accomplishment. I just can't say enough about him as a guy. His mental toughness, maturity and resilience. ... We're all just collectively thrilled that he's back playing basketball. I know he's… pic.twitter.com/w8JKnbYBLY
But now, with back-to-back G League games under his belt - and a standout performance in the second - he’s making up for lost time in a hurry.
Blue head coach Daniel Dixon, who’s been with Topic since summer league, couldn’t say enough about the rookie’s resilience.
“A ton of resilience from him,” Dixon said postgame. “He's just very tough, I think, mentally.
So, you're seeing him battle through different things. Tonight was just another example of that.”
Dixon emphasized that Tuesday’s performance wasn’t just about the stats - though those were impressive - but about Topic’s mindset and approach, especially in a back-to-back setting so early in his return.
“With him, we just try to take it one step at a time,” Dixon added. “And today I thought he put one foot in front of the other and did a great job for us.
He gave us a big lift. Just overall, I'm really proud of him.
I know this was a big two games for him.”
Topic’s two-game stat line speaks for itself: 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 5-for-9 from three, to go with 11 assists, three rebounds, two steals, and a block. For a player who hasn’t seen much game action in two years, that’s not just solid - it’s eye-opening.
And the Thunder brass is watching closely. General Manager Sam Presti was in attendance for both games, a sign of just how invested the organization is in Topic’s development.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault also weighed in, calling Topic’s return to the court a “great accomplishment” before Monday’s game against the Lakers.
“Can't say enough about him as a guy,” Daigneault said. “His mental toughness, maturity, resilience.
And to think of where he's been - he sat out with an ACL last year - he hasn't played a lot of basketball over the last two years. And he comes off a one-year rehab and immediately has a very surprising diagnosis, and goes through chemotherapy - three rounds of it.”
Daigneault made it clear: right now, it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the journey.
“For him to work himself back to the court is just an unbelievable accomplishment,” he said. “And we're just incredibly happy for him. His teammates have been very supportive during this process.”
That support has been evident both on and off the court. From the front office to the coaching staff to his teammates, Topic has had a strong network around him during a grueling stretch of his young life. And now, with his return to basketball underway, there’s a renewed sense of optimism about what’s ahead.
“We're all just collectively thrilled that he's back playing basketball,” Daigneault said. “I know he's missed it a great deal.
And this is just so good for him, mentally. We're not evaluating the performance right now.
It's just a great accomplishment that he's out there right now.”
The Thunder are back in action Wednesday on the road against the Suns, but for now, all eyes are on Topic - not just for what he’s doing on the court, but for the strength and perseverance he’s shown off of it. It’s been a long road back, but if these first two games are any indication, Nikola Topic’s story is just getting started.