Nuggets Nikola Jokić ‘future’ view of Nikola Topić
Fellow Serbian basketball product i Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic discussed the debut of Nikola Topić with Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of Friday’s match at the Paicom Center. Topic addressed the media for the first time since his testicular cancer diagnosis last week. Jokic was delighted to see Nikola start his NBA career after such a terrible failure.
Jokic discussed the topic recent return with the Thunder, according to DNVR Nuggets.
“I played with him, of course, a little when he was in the national team. He’s a really good guy – really talented,” said Jokic. “He is the future of Serbian basketball. He is fighting against something that is probably more important – the most important – and he won.”
Nikola Jokić on Nikola Topić:
“He is the future of Serbian basketball.”
“He’s fighting something that’s probably more important — the most important thing — and he’s won that.” pic.twitter.com/EZiDAKcusL
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) February 26, 2026
Jokić calls Tema the future of Serbian basketball is an eye-opening compliment considering the Thunder rookie’s career has just begun. He’s also off to an impressive start in helping the Thunder close out wins against the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavs amid the All-Star absence of Shai Giljus-Alexander. After missing the previous nine games, SGA will be back for Friday against the Nuggets.
The defending champions went 5-4 without Gilgeous-Alexander. Topic averaged 3.2 points on 43.8% shooting, including 40% from deep, 2.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 10.6 minutes in the box for the Thunder.
Thunder assigns Nikola Topic to G League amid SGA return
The Thunder assigned Nikola Topic to join the Blues, its G League affiliate, on Friday. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back after missing the past nine games, the Thunder decided Topic’s time would be better served to get more reps with the Blues.
The Thunder’s G League affiliate is in the middle of a four-game home stand at the Paicom Center. The Thunder will embark on a three-game road trip after Friday’s matchup against the Nuggets.
2026-02-27 19:12:00
