Marc Daigneault’s surprising ‘pure point guard’ against Nikola Topic

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault raved about rookie Nikola Topic, who he says helped his team secure a 105-86 victory against the Brooklyn Nets. Topic finished with nine points and two assists as he closes the door on the Nets in the final frame.

For Daigneault, Topic is one of the few pure point guards in the NBA, he explained during media availability after the game, while the Thunder head coach was really impressed Tomic’s game in only his second match.

“Basketball doesn’t have a lot of true pure point guards anymore. There’s incredible skill, but traditional team runners, there’s not a lot of those guys, and he’s that: He can lead your team. He’ll organize you on the floor. He understands what we’re trying to accomplish at this stage, even this early stage, takes care of his passing.” go with it.

“He’s got a long way to go. He’s got a lot to learn even offensively in terms of creating an advantage, reading different reports that he’ll see when the league teaches him a little bit; it’s going to be a new challenge for him. But he’s off to a great start.”

Mark Daigneault says that Nikola Topic is one of the few “pure point guards” left in the NBA: “Basketball doesn’t have many real point guards anymore…

And that’s what he is: he can lead your team. He will organize you up to the floor. He understands what we’re trying to do… pic.twitter.com/tHcveGPdis

— Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) February 21, 2026

Reminding reporters that Topic is still in the early stages of his NBA career, an impressive start for a rookie after an ACL injury and testicular cancer diagnosis, Daigneault put Friday’s performance into perspective.

“This is his second NBA game. So it would be unfair to really evaluate him in context,” Daigneault said. “But he’s obviously a really good player. He’s got a really good feel for the game. He goes in there and acts like he belongs. He shoots threes. He’s not afraid to drive.”

Theme went 4-for-6 from the floor, including 1-for-2 from deep. He also finished with three rebounds, all in 11 minutes off the bench.

Nikola Topić looks back on the “incredible” victory of Thunder

In just his second game, Thunder rookie Nikola Topic helped his team secure a win, fending off the Nets in the final frame of a 19-point victory at the Pejko Center. Jared McCain had a record 21 points off the bench led the Thunder in scoring. However, in only his second game, Topic addressed the media in his first postgame press conference of the season.

Topic took the time to thank Thunder fans for their warm embrace during his NBA debut last week.

“A great moment. I will remember that for the rest of my life – thanks to the fans,” said Topić. “For sure, I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.”

Still getting back into the swing of things, Topic, who hasn’t played a basketball game in nearly two years, said it took some getting used to playing again.

“In the beginning it was quite strange. I’m getting the feeling for the game again,” added Topić. “I’ve been out for a while. It’s been so weird coming back. I’ve been catching myself doing things I’ve never done before. It’s been pretty hard to adjust to it, but every game has been better. First game in the G League. Second game was better. First game here was OK. Second game was better. But I think it’s only going to get better.”

The Thunder will host the Cavs on Sunday.