OKC prospect Nikola Topić shines in second game since cancer diagnosis

Oklahoma. and home – Oklahoma City Thunder Rookie Nikola Topic’s 22 points, including four 3-pointers, led the G League’s Oklahoma City Blue to a 127-118 victory on Tuesday at the Payko Center. After the Thunder prospect was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October, Topic made his debut in the G League on Monday.

He then followed that up with a dominating performance in the second meeting of the Blue’s back-to-back against the Sioux Falls Skyforce. The topic ended with 22 points on 7-of-12 shootingincluding 4-for-7 from deep, four assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block in 20 minutes.

Nikola Topić in the second game of the G League in his career:

22 PTS
FY 7-12
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/Vkzz0SV6D4

— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) February 11, 2026

For Blues head coach Daniel Dixon, Topic leading his team to a hard-fought victory in just his second game is an impressive feat.

“Tons of resilience from him. I think he’s very tough mentally. So you see him fight through different things. Tonight was just another example of that,” Dixon said. “Back-to-back. His first experience. With him, we’re just trying to take it one step at a time. 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 run. All in all, I’m really proud of him. I know it was two big games for him.”

Dixon, who was the Thunder’s head coach in the summer league, talked about his time with Topic during the offseason.

“I’ve been around him since summer league and he’s shown a skill set that’s very unique,” Dixon added. “Like all of our guys, system skills are always very important. So his system skills continue to improve on both ends of the floor. So we’re really proud of his development.”

In his first two games in the G League, Topic has combined for 29 points on 10-for-17 shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep, 11 assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block.

Mark Daigneault reacts to Nikola Topic’s G League debut

Thunder head coach Mark Deno praised Nikola Topić for taking a big step when he returned to basketball, he was nearly four months removed from his testicular cancer diagnosis. Daigneault reacted to the news before the Thunder’s game against the Lakers on Monday.

“A big accomplishment,” Daigneault said. “I can’t say enough about him as a guy. His mental toughness, his maturity, his resiliency. And when I think about where he’s been — he had an ACL last year — he hasn’t played much basketball in the last two years. And he goes to rehab for a year and immediately has a very surprising diagnosis, and he goes through a cycle of chemotherapy — three.

“So for him to be back on the field is just an incredible accomplishment, like I said. And we’re just incredibly happy for him. His teammates have been very supportive throughout this process.”

For Thunder coach Marc Daigneault, it’s an exciting time to see Topik playing again.

“We’re all collectively thrilled that he’s back in basketball. I know he’s missed it a lot,” Daigneault added. “And this is so good for him, mentally. We’re not evaluating performances right now. It’s just a huge accomplishment that he’s out there right now.”

Asked Mark Daigneault about Nikola Topic playing for OKC Blue tonight:

“A great accomplishment. I can’t say enough about him as a guy. His mental toughness, his maturity and his resilience. … We’re all collectively thrilled that he’s back in basketball. I know he’s… pic.twitter.com/v8JKnbIBLI

— Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) February 10, 2026

The Thunder will face the Suns on the road on Wednesday.