Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has been ruled out for summer league play after undergoing a minimally invasive procedure to correct a herniated disc, the team announced on Saturday. After a torn ACL derailed his rookie campaign before it officially started in 2024-25, Thunder’s Topic recovered from a testicular cancer diagnosis ahead of Oklahoma City’s title defense in this year’s playoffs.
Now, Topic amid another setback this summer, but is expected to return to the Thunder for training camp in the fall.
“Nikola Topić underwent a successful minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy procedure,” Thunder PR announced. “He will miss summer league and is expected to be ready for the start of 2026-27 training camp.”
While spending most of the 2025-26 season in the G League, Topic averaged 5.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 10 regular-season games for the Thunder, including two starts.
Nikola Topic’s memorable Thunder debut after cancer diagnosis
Rookie Nikola Topic made his Thunder debut to a standing ovation at the Paycom Center. While Topic scored a season-high 22 points in his second game with the G League’s Blue, checking into his first official NBA game will stay with him forever.
In a 110-93 loss to the Bucks, Topic checked in the first half to fans on their feet, and he’ll never forget it.
“Awesome moment. I’ll remember that for the rest of my life — thanks to the fans,” Topic said. “For sure, I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.”
Nikola Topić thanks Thunder fans for standing ovation in NBA debut:
“I’ll remember that for the rest of my life” pic.twitter.com/N8xqQELZoc
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) February 21, 2026
The Thunder will kick off its first leg of summer league in Salt Lake City, starting July 4.
The post Thunder’s Nikola Topic slated to miss summer league due to procedure, team announces appeared first on ClutchPoints.
