Mark Daigneault’s heartfelt reaction to Nikola Topić’s debut after chemotherapy

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault introduced Nikola Topic in his first NBA game just four months after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in October. Before facing the Milwaukee Bucks, Daigneault addressed Topic’s debut at the Paicom Center with no guarantees that the 2024 first-round pick will actually play.

Then Topić entered the game towards the end of the first quarter against the Bucks to a standing ovation. Daigneault was elated and couldn’t be happier for Topic and his family as they navigated an uncertain path toward Topic’s first NBA game with the Thunder.

“I’m thrilled for him. He’s obviously been through a lot of adversity in his life over the last few years. He’s a young guy and all he wants to do is play basketball and that’s been taken away from him a couple of times,” Daigneault said. For him to work up to this point, to step on the floor, is a great achievement. I loved watching the team react to him during and after the game, and I can’t help but think of his family as well.

I have young children at home, and it’s pretty hard to even think about what his family has been through. It wasn’t just him. He has a wonderful family that loves him very much and has been through all this with him. So I’m delighted for them, and certainly a very good night for his family, for him and our team

it’s a shame we didn’t play our best game.”

Marc Daigneault on Nikola Topic’s NBA debut for the Thunder: “Excited for him. He’s obviously been through a lot of adversity in his life the last few years…

For him to work up to this point, get on the floor, is a great achievement… I can’t help but think… pic.twitter.com/lTHL3GH5A3

— Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) February 13, 2026

Topic finished with two points, one assist and one rebound in 12 minutes against the Bucks on Thursday.

Marc Daigneault reacts to Nikola Topic’s Thunder debut

While head coach Mark Daigneault was thrilled about the Nikola Topic’s promising Thunder debut in Thursday’s game against the Bucks, knows that Topic is still far from 100% after three rounds of chemotherapy.

Still, Topic’s Thunder debut is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

“What’s important to remember is that he played two very short stretches of Blue Minutes earlier this week. This was just a unique pocket that brought him into our team, with very little expectation from a performance standpoint,” Daigneault added. “He’s in the early stages of getting back to full game form. What chemotherapy does to your body is really amazing. It’s crazy what it does to you physically.”

“Coming back from that is different for everybody and it’s very challenging. If his top athleticism is 10 out of 10, he’s nowhere near that right now in terms of conditioning, athleticism, strength, everything that does to your body. It would be unfair to judge him in this context. We’re just the most important thing that’s back, and that’s on the way.” Daigneault added.

The Thunder lost their third game in five in a 110-93 loss to the Bucks at the Pike Center.