By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
THE Oklahoma City Thunder announced that Nikola Topic underwent testicular surgery on Monday. The 20-year-old Serbian point guard will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.
With momentum Stretching from a strong offseason to added excitement in the 2025 NBA preseason, Topic was headed for a significant role in the 2025-26 regular season, but was instead forced to go on the injury list. It remains unclear whether the latest setback will have any further impact on his playing status after he obtains medical clearance. Still, the defending champions feature a crowded backcourt, headlined by 2025 NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
A promising prospect, 12th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft presented by State Farm, Topic had already missed his entire rookie season. Therefore, he is yet to participate in an official NBA game. Injured knee in 2024, at the end of his career with Red Star of Zvezda Meridianbet, required surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament and was sidelined throughout the 2024-25 season.
Also on Monday, Thunder fell into the hands of Dallas Mavericks106-89, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Besides Topic, fellow European, Belgian Ajay Mitchell, was ruled out of the lineup due to an ankle injury. the opening of the pre-season on Sundayand the German Isaiah Hartenstein remained absent. On the other hand, Frenchman Ousmane Dieng had 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals as a starter, while Dutchman Malevy Leon came off the bench with five points, four rebounds and two steals.
