Nikola Topić returns to court in the midst of cancer treatment
For the first time this season, Oklahoma City Thunder defender Nikola Topić took part in the warm-up before the game, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Topic underwent a procedure to fight testicular cancer after making his preseason debut for the Thunder.
Before the Thunder game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Topic was seen on the floor shooting among his teammates at the Paicom Center, per Thunder Wire’s Clemente Almansa.
Topic is out for the 2025-26 campaign as he undergoes chemotherapy, as Thunder GM Sam Presti announced in October. Topic, a first-round pick of the Thunder in 2024, was with the team throughout the regular season. However, it was the first time journalists saw Nikola participating in the warm-up before the game.
Maybe it’s a sign that things are moving in the right direction as Topic continues his treatment.
Thunder GM Sam Presti announces Nikola Topic’s diagnosis
After a partially torn left ACL sidelined his 2024-25 rookie season, Thunder rookie Nikola Topic played in one preseason game before being diagnosed with cancer. Thunder GM Sam Presti announced Topic’s testicular cancer Diagnosis in October.
“The procedure was necessary to do a biopsy, and the results of the biopsy are in, and he’s dealing with a testicular cancer case,” Presti said. “He has a great group of oncologists at both OU and MD Anderson, and they’re extremely positive about his outlook on this situation. It’s important to note that testicular cancer is the most curable form of cancer among men.”
“But right now the treatment option for him, recommended by the oncologists, is chemotherapy. (Tema) didn’t want to release this information until he started the real treatment, which he recently had,” concluded Presti.
Topic, who was considered a top-5 pick before his ACL injury, was the Thunder’s 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
2025-12-20 04:30:00
