Thunder's Nikola Topic (back) expected to be ready for 2026-27 season
Apr 12, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic (44) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing what the team called a minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy procedure.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the surgery repairs a bulging disk in the lower back. Dr. Andrew Dossett performed the procedure at the Carrell Clinic in Dallas with Thunder medical personnel on hand.
The Thunder selected the 6-foot-6 point guard with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Serbia, but he has had a difficult start to his career.
He missed his rookie season due to a pre-draft knee injury. In the preseason ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent treatment.
Topic, 20, returned to play 10 games for the Thunder last season, averaging 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. In limited opportunities, he shot 40.0% (9-for-15) from 3-point range.
He is not expected to play in the NBA summer league in July.
--Field Level Media
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