The Oklahoma City Thunder began their Summer League sessions with a trip to Salt Lake City to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Tonight’s affair gave the Thunder faithful their first look at 2024 NBA Draft No. 12 pick Nikola Topic after missing the entire 2024-25 campaign rehabbing an ACL injury.
Oklahoma City is the defending champion after ousting the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the 2025 NBA Finals, but isn’t deprived of summer fun. Topic is joined by fellow rookie Brooks Barnhizer as a new name to watch, as well as returners Ajay Mitchell, Alex Ducas and Braden Carlson leading the way.
As always, many unheralded players are eyeing a chance in the G League, like Chris Youngblood, whose second-quarter scoring explosion helped Oklahoma City against Memphis.
However, all eyes were on Topic in his first NBA action and he started off with a bang by collecting a few stelae in the blink of an eye. Throughout the night, the lottery pick looked capable as an off-ball defender while also working with screen navigation at times –– to be expected with his prospect profile and after such an injury.
On the offensive side, the vision was clear of what the guard could bring to Oklahoma City. He consistently scored touches in the paint for the Thunder offense, leading to rim attempts and kicks to shooters to keep OKC’s offense in rhythm.
Even though it’s just a game, that hasn’t stopped social media from overreacting.
Topic finished with 14 points, one rebound, four assists and two steals on 6-11 shooting from the floor, including 2-4 from beyond the arc as Oklahoma City fell to Memphis.
During his first minutes of the NBA Summer League, it was Nikola Topic’s defense that had the most impact.
So active in the passing lanes.
– Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) July 5, 2025
Only one game plus-minus so grain of salt, but Thunder was +11 with Nikola Topic on the ground,
The peaks seem high. Such a good processor.
– Derek Parker (@DParkOK) July 5, 2025
Behind the back, rolls and spins to the rim to seal Fleming Jr. Just a nice all around play from Nikola Topic, who faces a physical Memphis defense. It’s really a stress test for the rookie.
-Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) July 5, 2025
I was impressed by Ajay and Topic.
-Jacob Kniffen (@JacobKniffen) July 5, 2025
Nikola Topić… so clever to reach the edge 💪#NBASummer action on ESPNU pic.twitter.com/DhOONc1WzT
-NBA (@NBA) July 5, 2025
Nikola Topić’s swing skill is the 3-point shot.
His game sense, drive and playmaking are all NBA ready.
The Thunder rookie spent a year working with Chip Engelland. Catch and shoot 3s smoothly to beat the shot clock here.
(@ThunderFilmRoom)pic.twitter.com/W7MierFwiS
– Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 6, 2025
The subject comes to the edge very well, which is the most important thing from the start
– TF (@ThunderFocus) July 5, 2025
What a pass from Topic there for open 3 (missed).
-Tayler Peterson (@Tayler_P15) July 5, 2025
Nikola Topic Defensive Player of the Year 2026
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) July 5, 2025
Subject Nikola: The king of jump passes
–Ben Creider (@BenCreider) July 6, 2025
The definition of feather touch on this float by Nikola Topic. Sheesh.
-Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) July 6, 2025
The subject showed some things in these transition opportunities
– Clémente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) July 6, 2025
If Topić manages to regularly reach these three points, the Thunder will return there…
-Bryson Akins (@BrysonAkins) July 6, 2025
The subject at the end of a shot clock on July 5, 2025 is special.
-Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) July 6, 2025
The first step of the subject seems incredible
– TF (@ThunderFocus) July 6, 2025
