Oklahoma City Thunder fans have been anxiously awaiting the NBA debut of Nikola Topic, their first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, they will be waiting a little longer thanks to a frightening development with the 20-year-old’s health.
On Oct. 6, the Thunder announced that Topic would miss 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing a testicular procedure. Thursday morning, Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti revealed that the 6-foot-6 guard has been diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Topic has begun chemotherapy treatments, Presti said, adding that doctors are “extremely positive” about his outlook.
“Our only expectations for him are to focus on this,” Presti said. “This is his most important priority. He’ll be back playing basketball when he’s able to, but we’re not putting any time length or expectations on that obviously. He has our total support, encouragement and love.”
Sam Presti gives an injury update on Nikola Topic who has found out he has testicular cancer. Topic’s treatment plan is chemotherapy, which he has started. pic.twitter.com/mShPDo4JnI
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) October 30, 2025
According to Presti, Topic asked the Thunder not to reveal his condition until after he had begun chemotherapy.
He’s been able to work out while undergoing treatments, but there’s no timeline for his return to the court.
A much-anticipated arrival, once again delayed
It goes without saying that Topic’s health comes first and foremost. Him beating cancer and resuming a normal life is more important than any basketball-related matters.
Still, it’s okay to lament the young man’s inability to catch even a tiny break so far in his NBA career. Topic was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after multiple seasons playing domestically in his home nation of Serbia. He was expected to suit up for the Thunder last season, but a torn ACL dashed those plans.
Topic did receive a ring for being part of Oklahoma City’s NBA championship team, but he still entered the fall without any regular season experience in the league. His latest health setback ensures that he’ll have to wait a little longer to realize that dream.
When he does join the Thunder, Topic will be yet another intriguing piece for the NBA’s top team to have at its disposal. Pre-draft scouting reports in 2024 compared the playmaking guard to everyone from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Josh Giddey to Goran Dragic to Luka Doncic.
