By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
An early exit for Nikola Topic in Game 1 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Finals.
Topic, 18, appeared to injure his left knee without contact in the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall on Monday. A setback to the same knee in January forced the NBA draft prospect to be on the injured list for nearly four months.
Unable to stand following a difficult landing late in the third quarter of the first match of the best-of-five championship series between Red Star Zvezda Meridianbet and rivals Partizan Mozzart Bet, medical staff is rushed onto the field. After heading to the locker room, he returned to watch the conclusion of the Belgrade giants’ clash alongside his injured teammates, instead of possibly heading to a local hospital for further medical examinations.
During seven minutes in the Eternal Derby, Topic had two points and an assist. In three regional league appearances since his return to action, he has averaged 5.3 points, 3.3 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 16 minutes per game. A veteran of five games played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, including two appearances in the 2023-24 bracket of Europe’s premier continental club competition.
Determined to help Zvezda throughout the season, with plans to make the regional and national league playoffs, Topic declined an invitation to participate in the annual NBA Draft Combine. Projected among the best selections of the next Draft, a serious injury could keep potential suitors away from the Serbian goalkeeper.
Photo credit: ABA-Liga.com
